NOT WITH A WHIMPER

OBAMA STRIKES A BLOW AGAINST THE DALAI LAMA

2009-10-08T17:22:00.001-04:00

One of the holiest men in the world, the Dalai Lama, is in the U.S. to spread his never-ending word of peace and care for all mankind. Not only the leader of Buddhists in Tibet, this man has also raised the world's awareness of human rights violations. He is the 1981 recipient of the Nobel Peace Prize. In Tibet, the homeland from which he was forced into exile by the Chinese, it is against the law of own a photo of the Dalai Lama.

Since 1991 when the Dalai Lama began visiting the United States, every President has met with this holy man at every opportunity. That is every President other than President Barak Obama. Obama “postponed” his meeting with the Dalai Lama until after he makes his first trip to China next month. Ironically, the Dalai Lama is here for a week of meetings with Congressional leaders and others. Even more ironic is that on Tuesday this man, who praises our original values of life, liberty, and equality, was presented the inaugural Lantos Human Rights Prize by Speaker Nancy Pelosi. The prize honors his commitment to ending global injustice.

First we light up the Empire State Building with China’s colors to celebrate 60 years of communist rule there (forgetting the atrocities that occurred to bring the communists to power), and now we symbolically side with China against Tibet. It’s shameful.

Add this slight aimed at one of the most humane thinkers and spiritually pure people in the world to the fact that Barak Obama loudly derided President Bush for attending the opening Beijing Olympic ceremonies BECAUSE OF CHINA'S HUMAN RIGHTS VIOLATIONS. How’s that overt hypocrisy? How abhorrent is his actions now.

SO...another friend under the bus, another example of sizzle (empty campaign rhetoric) over substance, and a huge of example of hypocrisy. This from a dedicated community organizer—out to help the poor and downtrodden. Here's a blank space ______________. Think of an adjective to describe our President's principles. Feel free to post your adjective in the comment section of this post.

NOTEWORTHY IN CONGRESS--BILL PREVENTS PLANNED MEDICARE PREMIUM INCREASE

2009-09-30T16:09:00.002-04:00

Here's something Noteworthy in Congress.

The House passed a bill that will eliminate the cost increase for Medicare in 2010. As originally planned, there was to be no COLA for Social Security recipients but there was to be a jump in Medicare Premiums.

However, on September 24, the House passed a bill eliminating that increase. People for whom Social Security provides a tight but doable budget can take a deep sigh and not begin to think about something else they might have to forgo.

While government accounting procedures may say there is no inflation, most people will probably agree that food costs have risen. While gas has come down from its high point, in my town it was still $2.79 yesterday. That's a drop, but it still strains the budget. There are predictions of an extremely cold winter this year accompanied with suggestions that fuel costs will rise this winter. It is a good thing that the Congresswoman who introduced this bill thought to lessen the impact somewhat for Seniors.

Nevada's Democratic Congresswoman, Dina Titus, sponsored the bill, and there were 54 co-sponsors. I emailed the Congresswoman with my thanks.

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OBAMA TOSSES MORE UNDER THE BUS

2009-09-30T15:28:00.004-04:00

There is a huge body count as Obama continues to throw folks Under the Bus.

Let's go back to the U.N. where he once again apologized for America to the world. He doesn't seem to get tired doing that, and this time he touted himself as the person making the change in our country. So he called on the world to leave their negative feelings (though well-earned) behind in this new and far better era. Americans under the bus.

He once again vocalized his extremely negative and antagonistic feelings toward Israel by doubting the legitimacy of Israel's claims dating back to 1967. That, of course, has prompted a self-righteous response from the Palestinians about those lands. Israel under the bus.

He refused to confront Iran, much to Sarkozy's chagrin. That information is still coming out. According to some sources, Obama did not want anything said about the “secret” nuclear facility, etc., because he did not want to tarnish his image in front of the U.N. France and the rest of the west, including us under the bus. If you watch any of the news videos, look at Sarkozy's expression as Obama speaks.

While we're still at the U.N., tell me why we are giving millions of dollars to charities in Qaddafi's Libya. This murderous but oil-rich dictator spent his time at the U.N. insulting and condemning the United States. He also welcomed home his “hero,” the man responsible for the Lockerbie bombing. That, apparently, is ok with Obama who has us additionally giving $200,000 each to two of Qaddafi's children for their foundations. The son, by the way, arranged for the bomber's release and arranged the welcome home party. Let's throw all the families of that heinous crime under the bus. (I note there is a question about the money to the kids as Congress questions; I could not find anything about the rest of the money) If you have info, please post a comment.

There was a special weekend at the end of September for Gold Star families. The newest families of our fallen could even register on line. The program was held on the lawn of the Capitol. Among the speakers was Kevin Bacon. I tried to find who represented the government. I want to know where the Commander-in-Chief of our military was or who he sent in his stead or read a statement honoring all the families that have lost children. I could not find a program, and I could not find an answer to my questions. If you know, please let me know. Otherwise, I add all members of the military and all the families who have lost their young people.

I can continue the military theme by Obama's delay in making a decision on Afghanistan and for not having Gates forward General McChrystal's report. Brings to mind the entire quotation “Ignorance is bliss when 'tis folly to be wise.” Most people do not look at the second part of that quotation.

Anything else? If you wish, comment or add to this list.

JUST GOTTA CHUCKLE AT THIS MALLARD FILLMORE

2009-09-23T16:37:00.001-04:00

Tinsley is so right on when he does these cartoons. This one will surely make you chuckle.

http://www.seattlepi.com/fun/mallard.asp

WHY DO THEY LOVE OBAMA AT THE U.N.?

2009-09-23T16:33:00.001-04:00

I thought you might like this article from the UK

http://http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/northamerica/usa/barackobama/6221379/The-UN-loves-Barack-Obama-because-he-is-weak.html?state=target#postacomment&postingId=6224513

OBAMA THROWS NON-SUPPORTERS UNDER THE BUS

2009-09-21T15:26:00.006-04:00

In his latest Under the Bus Attack on our allies, Barak Obama COINCIDENTALLY on the 70th anniversary of Russia's invasion of Poland, abruptly cancelled the long-planned missile shield for Eastern Europe. The agreements with Poland and the Czech Republic, allies in our war in Iraq, cost their leaders political capital in their own countries. That doesn't matter to Obama. Russia's President Medvedev called Obama's action “a responsible move.” Of course this all comes only a few days before Obama meets with Medvedev at the United Nations and the Group of 20 economic summit. Let's make sure we support our "loyal friends and supporters."

Obama's reasoning, he says, is that Iran's nuclear capabilities were over-estimated.

Let's ignore the fact that the world's top atomic watchdog just released this report from Vienna: “Teheran has the ability to make a nuclear bomb and is on the way to developing a missile system able to carry an atomic warhead, according to a secret report seen by The Associated Press. The document drafted by senior officials at the International Atomic Energy Agency is the clearest indication yet that the agency's leaders share Washington's views on Iran's weapon-making capabilities.”

SO WHO'S LYING? Is Obama ever going to get tired of bending over to pick up the soap in the shower? It's obviously not torture to him.

Here's another first in the Obama presidency--in fact in all presidencies. He revoked the visa of the PRESIDENT OF HONDURAS because he sides with the left-leaning outstered former president, Zelaya, who wanted to change the Honduran Constitution to eliminate term limits, a move ruled unconstitutional by the Honduran Supreme Court who also had their visas revoked. AN ATROCITY LIKE THIS, A VISA REVOCATION OF ANOTHER COUNTRY'S LEADER HAS NEVER HAPPENED BEFORE. IT IS A BADGE OF SHAME AND A DISGRACE TO OUR NATION. Cozy up to Zelaya and Chavez. Pass judgement on another country's constitution. It's an interesting insight into Obama's beliefs and not really anything he did not reveal in his campaign—but people did not see Hope and Change for what it really is in this man's mind.

A pattern emerged quite early in the Obama administration. Throw Non-Believers Under the Bus. It became obvious when Obama didn't get his way at the April 2009 G20 summit when European leaders scoffed at Obama and generally agreed that the U.S. would no longer play the dominate role it has in the past. Especially vocal, if you remember was France's Nicolas Sarcozy who cited Obama's inexperience. I guess this jolted Obama's “I have a gift” ego.

We witnessed how he treated England's Prime Minister Gordon Brown, gifting him with 25 dvds of American movie classics, incompatible, btw, with English dvd players.. He added insult to injury by gifting Queen Elizabeth with an iPod containing, among other "treasures," recordings of his speeches.. He was also complicit in neglecting to invite the Queen, the only living head of state involved and displaying for her people an example of courage during World War II, to the D-Day Anniversary Ceremonies at Normandy.

He threw Georgia under the bus when the Russians violated their sovereignty despite the fact that Georgia is a country who supported us in our Iraq efforts.

Perhaps most heinous is throwing us, the United States, under the bus by cronying up to the likes of Hugo Chavez, Castro, and other far-left, radical, anti-American leaders. He put pressure on Israel, our only real ally in the Middle East representing the only democracy in that area while he bowed to the Saudis and pledged money to repair damage caused in Gaza as Israel defended itself against daily bombing attacks in cities like Sderot.

Let's not forget the guaranteed bond holders who were called unpatriotic for actually wanting what the law guaranteed them when the car companies were appropriated by the government.

Let's not forget the seniors who will be facing government devised tables that decide when an “investment” in their health will bring a fair return on the money spent. Senator McCaskell stated yesterday that she wants to save money by denying wheelchairs and mechanized scooters.

Let's not forget the honest protesters at tea parties and town hall meetings—many who voted for Obama (to their everlasting shame)--who have been called unpatriotic.

Let's not forget people who dare to disagree are racist, branded by, among others, racist anti-Semite Jimmy Carter, two of whose books are highly recommended by that astute literary critic Osama bin Laden.

Let's not forget that dissenters are possible home-grown terrorists according to Homeland Security's Janet Napolitano, and just yesterday as proponents of violence as a teary-eyed (as much as possible with such massive amounts of botox in her face) Nancy Pelosi suggested. True, Obama doesn't comment. He could stop the madness, but it is all part of the game plan.

AND LET'S NOT FORGET FOX NEWS, especially with Obama appearing on five Sunday news programs yesterday—including on Univision (What the heck is that?) and the late night programs as well. THAT'S THROWING EVERY FOX NEWS VIEWER UNDER THE BUS. IT TELLS US WE ARE UNIMPORTANT AND THAT WE DON'T COUNT. I GUESS OBAMA IS NOT EVERYONE'S PRESIDENT, JUST HIS SUPPORTERS'.

I will keep mentioning UNDER THE BUS tactics. No doubt there will be many more.

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LIBERTY AND TYRANNY--A MUST READ

2009-08-16T12:20:00.006-04:00

If you’re American, the Constitution is your guarantee of personal liberty. To further understand this uniquely American document, read Mark Levin’s Liberty and Tyranny. Levin explains our Constitution, the firm foundation of our great country, in both its historical and modern contexts. He traces interpretations, attitudes, and our history through this document.

As the Federalist Papers explained to the early Americans why the colonies’ best interests would be served by joining together, Liberty and Tyranny explains why the Constitution limits rather than extends government's powers. It is essential reading, interesting, thoroughly footnoted, and a fascinating look at the Constitution through scholarly eyes. Yet it is never dry or didactic. It becomes a compelling read—even on vacation.

Levin divides the Constitution thematically so we can follow not only the reasons for its inception but also how it has impacted our history and sometimes the world. We’re also made thoroughly aware of the reasons it was constructed as it was, including why amending it is an arduous, thought-provoking process.

America is still working to live up to the Constitution’s grand expectations of us as a country, a people, and an ideal. As in everyday life, even when we know something is the right thing to do, it is not always a path we follow. Levin deals with some of the obvious issues that fall into this category, and his ideas are quite interesting. The Constitution set us up as an example of freedom, yet as human beings the actualization of that ideal has followed a tortuous path not yet fully resolved. We, as Americans, have a goal as part of our national fabric, and we continue trying to make that goal a reality. What other country in the world operates on that possibility? What past civilization offered its citizens that possibility?

Levin also traces the different influences on the Constitution’s interpretation through the actions of politicians and Supreme Court justices. Once the seed of change is planted, it can grow and change in both good and bad ways. But if one follows the prescribed course of change, errors can be corrected without toppling the country, and good can be produced. For good or bad, both parties have followed both positive and negative paths, and Levin points this out.

Levin is a conservative, preferring to follow the Constitution closely rather than loosely interpreting it. To him, it is not living and breathing; rather it is the solid bedrock upon which the United States rests, upon which the United States finds its strength to stand. Measured steps outrank rash and hurried changes, and knowledge of history and the brilliant men who composed this document are essential to understanding it. That is exactly what Levin shares with us.

If I sound awed, I am. There is a reason why Liberty and Tyranny is #2 on the New York Times bestseller list even though the Times’ description of it as a "manifesto" is way off the mark. To be #2 means there is a far larger audience than the Times’ description would indicate. I guarantee, whether Levin’s philosophy is yours or not, you will come away enriched.

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WHITE HOUSE EMAILS--QUESTIONS ABOUT PRIVACY RIGHTS

2009-08-15T12:51:00.005-04:00

JUST BEFORE I WAS READY TO POST THIS ARTICLE, I CHECKED MY HOTMAIL ACCOUNT. THERE WAS AN EMAIL FROM FRANK STELLA, AN AFT REPRESENTATIVE. HE FORWARDED TO AFT MEMBERS DAVID AXELROD'S EMAIL . WE'RE TALKING ABOUT THOUSANDS OF PEOPLE. THINK ABOUT IT.

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The flap between Major Garrett and Obama Press Secretary Robert Gibbs extends right into my home. Coincidentally I happened to be listening to the news conference live when Garrett asked his question. I received that day the same unsolicited email that Garrett alluded to and that Gibbs ingenuously questioned—publicly impugning Garrett’s honesty. Gibbs doubted that such a thing could happen. IT DID.

I’ve got a lot of questions, but here are a basic few:

1. How did the White House get my email address?
2. Why is the White House sending me emails? I didn’t sign up for them.
3. Since the White House cannot purge emails because of federal regulations, into what kind of “file” have I been relegated?
4. Since this email is no more than SPAM, why didn’t my hotmail filter send it immediately to Junk Mail?
5. What right has the White House using these email addresses as an advertising tool to spread propaganda? I specifically use the word propaganda because of the content of the email which I will copy and paste on this post so you can see what David Axelrod, Obama’s political advisor and sometime spokesman is up to.
6. And maybe in the bigger scheme of things, this is the most important question: Since the White House, Congress, and much of the media is complaining that the Town Hall meetings are attended by people who are organizing against healthcare (just as they said about the Tea Parties), what would they call this behavior????

If this isn’t organizing on a big scale, what is it? And unlike the websites that suggest people show up at meetings to voice their opinions an TO WHICH INDIVIDUALS GO OF THEIR OWN VOLITION, this organizational effort is unsolicited, unwanted, and at least in my case, against my will and A BASIC INVASION OF MY PRIVACY.

This tactic is being perpetrated on us by the same people who objected, as an invasion of privacy, to finding out who was checking out library books that describe, among other things, how to construct bombs. You’ve got a right to learn how to build bombs, apparently, but no right to voice your opinion if it’s not in line with the Obama administration. Gives one pause to think.
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PS LOOK AT THE SALUTATION. I AM NOT DAVID AXELROD’S FRIEND!

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Dear Friend,

This is probably one of the longest emails I’ve ever sent, but it could be the most important.

Across the country we are seeing vigorous debate about health insurance reform. Unfortunately, some of the old tactics we know so well are back — even the viral emails that fly unchecked and under the radar, spreading all sorts of lies and distortions.

As President Obama said at the town hall in New Hampshire, “where we do disagree, let's disagree over things that are real, not these wild misrepresentations that bear no resemblance to anything that's actually been proposed.”

So let’s start a chain email of our own. At the end of my email, you’ll find a lot of information about health insurance reform, distilled into 8 ways reform provides security and stability to those with or without coverage, 8 common myths about reform and 8 reasons we need health insurance reform now.

Right now, someone you know probably has a question about reform that could be answered by what’s below. So what are you waiting for? Forward this email.

Thanks,
David

David Axelrod
Senior Adviser to the President

P.S. We launched www.WhiteHouse.gov/realitycheck this week to knock down the rumors and lies that are floating around the internet. You can find the information below, and much more, there. For example, we've just added a video of Nancy-Ann DeParle from our Health Reform Office tackling a viral email head on. Check it out:

8 ways reform provides security and stability to those with or without coverage
1. Ends Discrimination for Pre-Existing Conditions: Insurance companies will be prohibited from refusing you coverage because of your medical history.
2. Ends Exorbitant Out-of-Pocket Expenses, Deductibles or Co-Pays: Insurance companies will have to abide by yearly caps on how much they can charge for out-of-pocket expenses.
3. Ends Cost-Sharing for Preventive Care: Insurance companies must fully cover, without charge, regular checkups and tests that help you prevent illness, such as mammograms or eye and foot exams for diabetics.
4. Ends Dropping of Coverage for Seriously Ill: Insurance companies will be prohibited from dropping or watering down insurance coverage for those who become seriously ill.
5. Ends Gender Discrimination: Insurance companies will be prohibited from charging you more because of your gender.
6. Ends Annual or Lifetime Caps on Coverage: Insurance companies will be prevented from placing annual or lifetime caps on the coverage you receive.
7. Extends Coverage for Young Adults: Children would continue to be eligible for family coverage through the age of 26.
8. Guarantees Insurance Renewal: Insurance companies will be required to renew any policy as long as the policyholder pays their premium in full. Insurance companies won't be allowed to refuse renewal because someone became sick.
Learn more and get details: http://www.WhiteHouse.gov/health-insurance-consumer-protections/

8 common myths about health insurance reform
1. Reform will stop "rationing" - not increase it: It’s a myth that reform will mean a "government takeover" of health care or lead to "rationing." To the contrary, reform will forbid many forms of rationing that are currently being used by insurance companies.
2. We can’t afford reform: It's the status quo we can't afford. It’s a myth that reform will bust the budget. To the contrary, the President has identified ways to pay for the vast majority of the up-front costs by cutting waste, fraud, and abuse within existing government health programs; ending big subsidies to insurance companies; and increasing efficiency with such steps as coordinating care and streamlining paperwork. In the long term, reform can help bring down costs that will otherwise lead to a fiscal crisis.
3. Reform would encourage "euthanasia": It does not. It’s a malicious myth that reform would encourage or even require euthanasia for seniors. For seniors who want to consult with their family and physicians about end-of life decisions, reform will help to cover these voluntary, private consultations for those who want help with these personal and difficult family decisions.
4. Vets' health care is safe and sound: It’s a myth that health insurance reform will affect veterans' access to the care they get now. To the contrary, the President's budget significantly expands coverage under the VA, extending care to 500,000 more veterans who were previously excluded. The VA Healthcare system will continue to be available for all eligible veterans.
5. Reform will benefit small business - not burden it: It’s a myth that health insurance reform will hurt small businesses. To the contrary, reform will ease the burdens on small businesses, provide tax credits to help them pay for employee coverage and help level the playing field with big firms who pay much less to cover their employees on average.
6. Your Medicare is safe, and stronger with reform: It’s myth that Health Insurance Reform would be financed by cutting Medicare benefits. To the contrary, reform will improve the long-term financial health of Medicare, ensure better coordination, eliminate waste and unnecessary subsidies to insurance companies, and help to close the Medicare "doughnut" hole to make prescription drugs more affordable for seniors.
7. You can keep your own insurance: It’s myth that reform will force you out of your current insurance plan or force you to change doctors. To the contrary, reform will expand your choices, not eliminate them.
8. No, government will not do anything with your bank account: It is an absurd myth that government will be in charge of your bank accounts. Health insurance reform will simplify administration, making it easier and more convenient for you to pay bills in a method that you choose. Just like paying a phone bill or a utility bill, you can pay by traditional check, or by a direct electronic payment. And forms will be standardized so they will be easier to understand. The choice is up to you – and the same rules of privacy will apply as they do for all other electronic payments that people make.
Learn more and get details:
http://www.WhiteHouse.gov/realitycheck
http://www.WhiteHouse.gov/realitycheck/faq

8 Reasons We Need Health Insurance Reform Now
1. Coverage Denied to Millions: A recent national survey estimated that 12.6 million non-elderly adults – 36 percent of those who tried to purchase health insurance directly from an insurance company in the individual insurance market – were in fact discriminated against because of a pre-existing condition in the previous three years or dropped from coverage when they became seriously ill. Learn more: http://www.healthreform.gov/reports/denied_coverage/index.html
2. Less Care for More Costs: With each passing year, Americans are paying more for health care coverage. Employer-sponsored health insurance premiums have nearly doubled since 2000, a rate three times faster than wages. In 2008, the average premium for a family plan purchased through an employer was $12,680, nearly the annual earnings of a full-time minimum wage job. Americans pay more than ever for health insurance, but get less coverage. Learn more: http://www.healthreform.gov/reports/hiddencosts/index.html
3. Roadblocks to Care for Women: Women’s reproductive health requires more regular contact with health care providers, including yearly pap smears, mammograms, and obstetric care. Women are also more likely to report fair or poor health than men (9.5% versus 9.0%). While rates of chronic conditions such as diabetes and high blood pressure are similar to men, women are twice as likely to suffer from headaches and are more likely to experience joint, back or neck pain. These chronic conditions often require regular and frequent treatment and follow-up care. Learn more: http://www.healthreform.gov/reports/women/index.html
4. Hard Times in the Heartland: Throughout rural America, there are nearly 50 million people who face challenges in accessing health care. The past several decades have consistently shown higher rates of poverty, mortality, uninsurance, and limited access to a primary health care provider in rural areas. With the recent economic downturn, there is potential for an increase in many of the health disparities and access concerns that are already elevated in rural communities. Learn more: http://www.healthreform.gov/reports/hardtimes
5. Small Businesses Struggle to Provide Health Coverage: Nearly one-third of the uninsured – 13 million people – are employees of firms with less than 100 workers. From 2000 to 2007, the proportion of non-elderly Americans covered by employer-based health insurance fell from 66% to 61%. Much of this decline stems from small business. The percentage of small businesses offering coverage dropped from 68% to 59%, while large firms held stable at 99%. About a third of such workers in firms with fewer than 50 employees obtain insurance through a spouse. Learn more: http://www.healthreform.gov/reports/helpbottomline
6. The Tragedies are Personal: Half of all personal bankruptcies are at least partly the result of medical expenses. The typical elderly couple may have to save nearly $300,000 to pay for health costs not covered by Medicare alone. Learn more: http://www.healthreform.gov/reports/inaction
7. Diminishing Access to Care: From 2000 to 2007, the proportion of non-elderly Americans covered by employer-based health insurance fell from 66% to 61%. An estimated 87 million people - one in every three Americans under the age of 65 - were uninsured at some point in 2007 and 2008. More than 80% of the uninsured are in working families. Learn more: http://www.healthreform.gov/reports/inaction/diminishing/index.html
8. The Trends are Troubling: Without reform, health care costs will continue to skyrocket unabated, putting unbearable strain on families, businesses, and state and federal government budgets. Perhaps the most visible sign of the need for health care reform is the 46 million Americans currently without health insurance - projections suggest that this number will rise to about 72 million in 2040 in the absence of reform. Learn more: http://www.WhiteHouse.gov/assets/documents/CEA_Health_Care_Report.pdf

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SEE FOR YOURSELF THE WHITE HOUSE REQUEST FOR YOU TO INFORM ON YOUR FRIENDS AND NEIGHBORS

2009-08-06T07:38:00.005-04:00

JUST IN CASE YOU THINK THE NEWS IS EXAGGERATED, LOOK AT THIS VIDEO RIGHT OFF THE WHITE HOUSE BLOG. ONE IMPORTANT POINT IS THAT THIS BLOG IS NOT INCLUDED IN THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT.

http://www.whitehouse.gov/blog/Facts-Are-Stubborn-Things/

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BARAK OBAMA--THE HALF-TRUTH PRESIDENT

2009-07-26T08:44:00.007-04:00

As Barak Obama continues his assault on the American People regarding health care, he is beginning to show his true side, and it is desperately pathetic. So used to the unending adulation of his public, he has regressed to a whining and complaining little boy who sputters half truths in order to get his way.

In the last few days he has emphatically stated that Republicans will not go along with him because this will be his "Waterloo." He accuses them of trying to "torpedo" his plan in order to gain politically. Obama claims the Republicans want no change to health care in the country. I've heard Republicans and others suggest for years that tort reform would work on the problem of malpractice lawsuits and all the accompanying costs involved in doctors and hospitals protecting themselves. That was a big part of President George W. Bush's plan to work on health care--a plan firmly trounced by the Democats in Congress.

This issue does not appear to be addressed in the new bill. To see who stands to gain, look at people like John Edwards for whom medical malpractice was his road to millionairedom.

Additionally, Obama has totally disregarded the 57 blue dog Democrats who realize this health care plan is, at the very least, fiscally irresponsible. He never mentions dissension within his own party. The truth is there are doubters on both sides of the aisle; he tells us half the story.

Obviously, President Obama, the man who was going to bring transparency to the presidency, doesn't even want to tell us the truth.

Let's deal with the bill itself--a bill presented in such a hazy way that one would expect it will fix every problem in health care without taking away our choices, freedoms, or money (except for the rich who won't miss it anyway). Here perhaps we should be grateful for half truths because most of what we are hearing are out and out lies!

Rahm Emmanuel is still pushing for a vote before the recess, but members of Congress have not read read the bill. That's exactly what happened with the stimulus package. How can one vote intelligently without having read and digested the information? How do I know they haven't read the bill--aside from the obvious that the President wants the vote before the recess but the bill is not yet completed?

On page 389 of the proposed legislation, there are references to the "mentally retarded." Agree or not, this is now considered a politically incorrect term bringing all kinds of criticism when used in movies, etc. Yet Congress allows this wording in its bill and NO ONE has objected to the term. I guess no one read as far as page 389.

The age where there must be a determination about using aggressive procedures to fight illness is 65. You read that right. Yet the claim is that AARP supports the legislation. Why would they want to hurt their membership? Do the older supporters of Obama and his plan realize that their lives may be sacrificed in order to save younger people? Shall we call Obama the Soylent Green President?

Who makes the determination concerning aggressive care? The person suggested is the Surgeon General. Who is the Surgeon General? The President has nominated a doctor whose practice has done wonderful things for poor people. She runs clinics. She is well respected and is obviously a good woman and hopefully an excellent physician. BUT she is not associated with teaching or research hospitals. Her experience is not with the cutting edge techniques consistently being developed, and there is no way that she can be up to speed in these areas. Yet she and her staff (who selects them?) will make health care decisions for the entire country--health care decisions that should be made by the patient and his/her physician. When President Obama says CHOICE, he obviously is not talking about choice of the individual; he is talking about choice of the government. ANOTHER TWISTING OF THE TRUTH.

Speaking about sacrifice, let's look at how this kind of health care works in other areas.

Massachusetts with Mitt Romney's health care design is going broke due to the exhorbitant costs. The projected cost and the real cost had nothing in common. Waits to see doctors are long, and tests are scheduled weeks down the road.

The cancer death rates in Canada are 17% higher than in the U.S. despite a smaller population. Long wait times for tests mean long wait times for treatment. The same cancer death rate difference exists in England. Canadians who are able come to the U.S. for improved treatment.

Canadians also come here for certain appliances such as hearing aids. At a dinner in Montreal, I was discussing my digital hearing aids which are more sensitive and versatile. Canadians are offered old fashioned analog hearing aids. The ability to pay for the more expensive and more sensitive digital aids does not factor into any decision. Analog is cheaper and the government needs to take away choice in order to supply everyone equally.

When we were in Ireland in the fall of '07, we read of two health scandals in government-run health care United Kingdom. A hospital in England, in order to cut laundry costs, simply flipped the sheets when one patient left and before the next arrived. The result was a staph infection epidemic! The second scandal concerned Ireland's return to do-it-yourself dentistry by people with toothache pain so severe they couldn't suffer through the long waits to see the dentist. They resorted to many ways of removing their teeth including the old string on the doorknob game. If you find this hard to believe, don't. It is the whole truth.

The President talks about taxing only the rich to pay for this plan. He neglected to add that he is considering an excise tax on plans that go above and beyond the government sponsored plan. Here he will tax the insurance companies that offer "gold-plated" plans. That means if you or I are paying more for better coverage, our audacity will be punished. If we feel insurance is the way we wish to spend our money, we will be punished in order to pay for people who choose to spend their money in other ways--a large percentage of the uninsured are young people who do not see health insurance as a personal necessity. They will lose their right to choose as well. Do you see your liberty being threatened little by little? You should. Bye Bye "gold-plated" plans. If you were an insurance company paying extra taxes, would you continue to offer them?

As a matter of fact, bye bye insurance companies. Not today, but down the road. They will be unable to compete with government sponsored plans.

Let's deal with another problem with truth. The Franking Commission which decides when Congress-sponsored mail to constituents travels postage free, has decided that the term "government-sponsored health care" is a partisan term and disqualifies for free postage any Congressman or Senator who employs that term. The appropriate term, "public option," is to be used instead. How's that for Freedom of Speech?! How's that for issuing half truths or lies (you make the call) to the public. Keep 'em ignorant and you'll keep 'em under your thumb.

Here's an interesting lack of truthfulness. This health plan is supposedly designed to give all Americans the best of care. When an amendment was offered to insist that the President and members of Congress sign on to this plan, the amendment was not even included in the bill. The people crafting this wonderous plan all know the truth, and they are not going for it any more than we should go for it.

One last point (although I can go on) before this post gets any longer (and it could). Obama's people keep talking about 47 million uninsured. There is a saying, "Figures never lie but liers figure."

That statistic includes people who can afford insurance but choose not to have it (primarily younger people). They will be forced by law to buy insurance.

That number includes illegal immigrants in this country. Do you want your tax money to make sure the people who are here by breaking the law are supported by law to have health care while yours may very well be compromised in order to do that?

That statistic, a yearly statistic, includes anyone who does not have insurance for even one day--a person who changes jobs, for instance, or a person who opts for different coverage and there is a lag between the time when one ends and another begins.

The whole truth is that we are not getting the whole truth. But if these proposals become law, we will be giving up choices about our health, end-of-life issues, and our money. To me this means giving up freedom to which our Federal Government has no right. Technorati Tags:
politics, commentary, health care, Obama, President, taxes, Rahm Emmanuel, Congress, legislation, AARP, Canada, socialized medicine, public option, Franking Commission, England, Ireland, UK, cancer, death rates, MA, health plans, Not With a Whimper, political blogs
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READ THIS AND WEEP--U.S. RELEASES IRAQI LINKED TO FIVE GI DEATHS

2009-07-24T12:23:00.007-04:00

When you read this article remember who our commander-in-chief is. Then weep.

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/31183312/ns/world_news-conflict_in_iraq/from/ET

Please also remember that President Bush did not support al-Malaki to begin with, but the Iraqi people voted for him as Prime Minister (hmmmm...the people voted in the wrong man who is leading the country down the wrong path--gosh, that sounds familiar)

The "militant" released allegedly has ties to Iran and to the "cleric" Mutada al Sadr. The Iraqis bill this "catch and release" as part of a "wider reconciliation plan." The militant's group will hand over heavy weapons at some point as the reconciliation continues. Also some British hostages will be released. Yeah, right. When do they get their milk and cookies?

So let's get this straight--a terrorist responsible for killing one GI on site and taking four others to a remote site and killing them, who was captured in 2006 when Bush was commander-in-chief, will be released by the U.S. in 2009 when Obama is commander-in-chief to the Iraqis who will free him as part of a reconciliation with the very people who want to bring down the Iraqi government. Does that sound like a good plan to any thinking person? And fowhat did those five GIs give their lives?

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Obama, commander-in-chief, Iraq, war, Bush, President, al-Malaki, GI, death, Iran, al Sadr, war, Not with a Whimper, blogs, commentary army miitary
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BARBARA BOXER IS AT IT AGAIN--INSULTING AND CONDESCENDING

2009-07-17T18:18:00.003-04:00

This video is Barbara Boxer showing her true colors. This Senator from California is a disgrace to everything the country stands for, yet she is making and voting for rules by which we all must live. Trust the government to speak for me? No.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cNFWRRaTL5I

Mark Levin is Priceless

2009-07-16T21:51:00.002-04:00

OBAMA "PLAYS" THE FINANCIAL INSTITUTIONS

2009-07-15T22:05:00.001-04:00

Some time ago I wrote of Obama's attitude toward people who take their fiscal responsibilities seriously—punishingly tax them into oblivion to support those who don't or won't accept their own responsibilities. Goodbye middle class. The same destructive approach is now being used against big financial companies.

Under the Obama plan, big companies like Citi and Goldman Sachs would not be forbidden; instead they would be regulated so strictly it would be a disadvantage to be a big company. The Federal Reserve would be in charge of the scrutiny. We've already seen how incompetently the fed protected us from the current financial crisis. Why should we expect more now?

What's really interesting, however, is the Administration's explanation of the plans. They will not forbid; they will just make existence inordinately complex and expensive so that the big companies cannot or will not expand.

“Without banning them, we're providing some pretty heavy penalties for entering the top group of institutions that could pose a risk to the entire financial system,” said Diana Farrell, deputy director of the White House's National Economic Council.

“The regulator might say to a large institution,’ Make sure there is very good reason to get that big, or that interconnected, or that complex because the penalties will wipe out any advantages, such as lower cost of capital, you might have,'” she said.

So much for the free enterprise system. So much for capitalism. Say goodbye to risk taking too. What would be the point of investing in a company threatened with severe penalties if it grows too big (and successful)? It would be like buying a Pontiac today. Would you really trust mechanical and parts support from a government-owned car company that will no longer manufacture Pontiacs? Buyers beware!

Think of the regulator. Who will decide on the new rules of the road for these companies? Upon what economic theories will decisions be based? Where is the threshold over which no company may cross? Will there exist the same “moving barrier” that was erected for the banks to hurdle in the shape of “tests” the government devised? Are we dealing with economic laws or social engineering? In the end, the Obama administration is protecting one entity—itself. It cannot be blamed for destroying these financial behemoths. In less refined parlance, that's called CYA.

There's such a predictable pattern to Obama's programs.

1 Replace private business with a government entity or
Create or extend a governmental hierarchy to oversee this entity
2 Develop punitive and expensive regulations to weaken private industry or
Make sure the government entity appears more attractive than the private entity
3 Over time observe the private business' inability to sustain itself and fail
4 Socialize the industry

We've seen the pattern in the banking industry where the government would not accept loan re-payment thereby keeping banks under the government's spreading thumb. Then “tests” were developed to check on each bank's success. When too many passed, new tests were developed.

We've seen the pattern in the auto industry where unions were mollified and Fiat was the winner. Bondholders were shown that the rule of law only applies when the Administration needs it. We will see how government-backed GMAC does as prime lender to the industry, and we'll see if the auto company can turn a profit on its own. We'll also see if the jobs lost by dealers, and the dealerships lost by the community (and collateral damage to other business in the community) will be replaced in the new economic structure.

In Healthcare, we'll have to watch as care is rationed, private insurers go under, those offering their employees benefits are penalized in some fashion, and employee benefits are taxed.

We better wake up. We better get in touch with our representatives and wake them up. We better do this before it's too late.
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Al Gore Might be Sued by 30,000 Scientists!

2009-07-10T11:57:00.006-04:00

Here's a great clip featuring John Coleman, founder of the weather channel. He claims 30,000 scientists want to sue Al Gore over the Global Warming Fraud. Listen to Coleman's explanation.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FfHW7KR33IQ
politics opinion politicians video "Not+with+a+Whimper" "political+blogs" "Al+Gore" "John+Coleman" Dexter "global+warming" environment

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OBAMA GIVES US REASONS TO FEAR

2009-07-03T17:04:00.002-04:00

If we are not frightened by what is going on around us in the Federal Government, we've stuck our heads so far down into the sand that ostriches have nothing on us. In fact, we may have chosen to stick our heads in quick sand! It doesn't appear that the Obama administration is going to stop the reckless spending, the intrusion into private industry or the usurpation of states' rights. There is the problem that Congress is not reading bills before they are passed. There is the problem of smokescreens that blunt the press' reportage of the country in favor of the spectacle.

Christine Romer was just interviewed on television. This MIT Ph.d and former Berkley professor is part of the Obama economic team. Here's the skinny right from the horse's mouth concerning the effectiveness the Stimulus package. It is the same stimulus package that had to be passed immediately without time for Congress to read it and without time to separate the wheat from the chaff.

1. Only 4% of the money has thus far been dispersed.
2. By the end of the year, only 23% will have been dispersed.
3. Despite campaign promises (though she admits the Obama campaign had no “crystal ball”), unemployment, today at 9.5% is quickly approaching double digits. It is at its highest level in 26 years. (I note that double digit unemployment is endemic in socialist France and Spain)
4. Despite campaign promises, there is no predicted “end” to the recession. There is hope it will moderate by the end of this year—or next year. (Or….)

In other words, even the Administration cannot conceal the abysmal failure of the Stimulus package that has slam dunked this country and its future generations into a money pit of debt. But we, the people, are not hearing or reading of this in the news outlets. We are, except for those who search for news, being kept in a stupored ignorant state,

Yesterday CNN, reporting on California's tragic budget crisis giving rise to the issuance of IOUs to workers—an interesting turn as I assume no mortgage companies, grocery stores, gas stations, etc. will accept those IOUs in lieu of payment—stated that most troubled state governments are using the stimulus money to close budget gaps. That means paying their own bills! How in the world will that use stimulate the economy? The simple and obvious answer is that it will not. In reading the scenario, however, one can readily see how, despite the massive debt we are building to countries like China, our problems will only worsen. When the aforementioned companies, stores and gas stations do not accept IOUs, how will they pay their employees or restock their shelves or refill their tanks? And so the snowball rolls.

While I'm on the subject of CNN, this morning their “money girl” sat with Kiran Chetry and explained how money “experts” are “sifting through the numbers” looking for signs of economic improvement. That’s like looking for a needle in a haystack. But when the “experts” find one sign, that's what they report, and it makes poll numbers change on the populace's long-term outlook. These days the polls have slightly increased in the belief that things are looking a touch better. I think of that old adage, “Figures never lie but liars figure.” I also pray that offering HOPE will be an acceptable way to pay one's bills. (Does one say, "I HOPE to pay"?)

With the untimely deaths of Michael Jackson and Farah Fawcett grabbing the headlines so many of the country did not realize the House barely passed the Cap and Trade bill, a bill that will severely impact on our way of life. Now it goes to the Senate where it hopefully will be stopped. Nevertheless, one piece of the bill keeps hitting the news—Fox News—that is. When a homeowner wants to sell his home, the house must first be inspected and the seller must upgrade to fulfill any energy requirements the Federal government has instituted. Who decides on these requirements? Who does the inspections for the government? How does one factor in the cost of the improvements to the selling price of the house? None of these issues are addressed in any but the most general way, but they will impact every single seller in this country in a major and very specific way. Think about it.

I called Congressman John Hall's office twice before the vote on the Cap and Trade. I left a message at his NY office, and spoke to someone in the DC office. When I said that there was no way the Congressman could have read the 300+ page Waxman amendment submitted at 3AM that morning and therefore how could the Congressman vote intelligently on the final legislation, the answer I received was, “Good question.” No kidding. John Hall, by the way, voted for the bill. Why? Good question. I hope the Democratic party gave him a reward treat—perhaps a doggie biscuit for doing well in obedience school.

I guess I will continue banging my head against the wall by contacting my two Senators—don't laugh—Schumer and Gillibrand—asking them to consider us, their constituents, first. I do believe EVERYONE SHOULD CONTACT SENATORS to let them know how awful it will be to bury what’s left of the country in Chinese debt and to send what's left of our business to countries who do it for less. Meanwhile, it's interesting that Obama is against any trade restrictions. All of a sudden he is a free market dude. He'll create jobs, all right. Only they won't be in America.

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politics opinion Obama energy Cap and Trade stimulus economics California government tax "Christine Romer" CNN "Kiran Chetry" "John Hall" Congress Senate "New York" Gillibrand Schumer China jobs MIT Berkley
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Mallard Fillmore comic strip - free comics

2009-07-03T14:14:00.002-04:00

I've become a big fan of Mallard Fillmore. In the few weeks I've been looking at the strip, there hasn't been one about which I object. There hasn't been one I find gratuitous. There hasn't been one I've found offensive. This is a breath of fresh air after the horrendous way our past president was treated and in which some public figures are still treated. If your paper doesn't carry Tinsley's comic, ask why.

Mallard Fillmore comic strip - free comics

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AN OPEN LETTER TO BARBARA BOXER THAT TELLS IT ALL

2009-06-24T15:48:00.005-04:00

If you were as appalled as I over Babs Boxer's insulting treatment of Brigadier General Michael Walsh of the Army Corps of Engineers, you will appreciate this letter from a very excellent publication, Family Security Matters.

http://www.familysecuritymatters.org/publications/id.3572/pub_detail.asp

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Barbara Boxer, Senate, Congress, politics, politicians, general, Gen. Michael Walsh, Army Corps of Engineers, opinion, government, New Orleans, Not With a Whimper, political blogs,
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OBAMA, CHRYSLER, & THE UAW--A MARRIAGE MADE IN A BACK ROOM

2009-06-13T09:43:00.004-04:00

The United Auto Workers Union sent an interesting letter to its members explaining the results of the Chrysler bankruptcy.

The letter should also be interesting to those of us who foot the bill. Remember, too, that the GUARANTEED BONDHOLDERS (in Delaware where Chrysler is headquartered, bankruptcy law dictates that bondholders receive their money first) investers representing pension funds, etc.--received less than $.25 on their dollar.

The union said that under the plan, they saved the hourly wage, the pension plan, and the health benefits members enjoyed. Unexplained but mentioned in the letter was that they had agreed to a way to slow foreign competition. The letter listed China (huh?) and other countries--like Japan, I guess.

Yesterday the press did report that the UAW did make MAJOR concessions: they gave up two paid holidays, one being the Monday after Easter. They will no longer be paid for unused vacation time; THEY WILL JUST HAVE TO USE ALL THEIR VACATION. Boo Hoo. They agreed not to strike until 2015.

Why would they strike? They own a huge share of the company and would be striking against themselves. Picture negotiations. The negotiators come with two hats and change them each time they leap across the table to participate, sometimes as an owner, sometimes as a union worker. Negotiations could be very tiring and only fit for the athletically strong.

It's nice to know how well the union has been paid by the Obama administration for its support and how in-the-pocket union members are for the next presidential election. They more than balance out the screwed over bond holders whose guaranteed bonds really were TOXIC PAPER.

politics politicians opinion commentary Obama Chrysler UAW "auto+industry" auto "auto+bailout" bailout bankruptcy "auto+reorganization" nationalization bondholders Delaware "bankruptcy+law" vacation health "health+benefits" Easter holidays strike "Not+with+a+Whimper" marriage pension
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politics politicians opinion commentary Obama Chrysler UAW "auto+industry" auto "auto+bailout" bailout bankruptcy "auto+reorganization" nationalization bondholders Delaware "bankruptcy+law" vacation health "health+benefits" Easter holidays strike "Not+with+a+Whimper" marriage pension
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A CORRECTION

2009-06-08T12:02:00.001-04:00

I wanted to correct something about President Obama's trip to the MidEast. He was not going to Aushwitz; he was going to Buchenwald.

OBAMA CONTINUES TO DIS OUR NATION'S FRIENDS

2009-06-02T09:25:00.004-04:00

Today Israel is holding a nationwide air raid drill. Simulated fire power destruction litters the Israeli countryside. Children in schools are practicing for the worst. News commentators suggest that the amount of destruction far exceeds that which would occur from the rockets--relatively less lethal--that continue to bombard Israel from the north and the south. The demonstrated destruction of this drill is more like the destruction wrought by a bigger warhead--the kind of which Iran boasts. Commentators suggest that this drill demonstrates that Israel is in a state of readiness to react to a strike on them from Iran. They also suggest this is a statement to President Obama--a reaction to America's change in support.

It is frightening to watch these air raid drills on television. It is frightening to hear the suggestion that a strike from Iran could create another massive loss of Jewish life--another REAL attempt at GENOCIDE. We're only a bit more than 60 years from the last attempt to wipe Jews off the face of the earth.

Meanwhile, President Obama is heading to the mideast. He is visiting several countries in the area---BUT OBAMA IS NOT VISITING ISRAEL. I watched the news conference when the President sat with Netanyahu. He never looked at him. He talked at him, not with him. The essence of that talk was to warn Israel to stop building on the West Bank and to agree to the two-state solution--without first requiring the Arabs to agree to Israel's right to exist.

Remember, too, that Obama gave huge sums of money to Gaza after the recent battle with Israel--one that began as Israel tried to stop the barrage of rockets launched into towns like Sderot. Before the smoke cleared, the "Palestinians" were smuggling more rockets into the area via tunnels from Egypt. Israel was to blame for the damage?????? Israel is warned to change????

In the same way that my post on merit (one post prior) points to Obama's disregard for merit in favor of political expediency, his actions in this case point to his lack of respect for our allies around the world. He demonstrated this in his treatment of Poland early in his still-short-but-far-too-long-for-me administration, his dvd gift to Gordon Brown as well as his iPod gift to Queen Elizabeth a short time later, and recently his complicity by not immediately insisting that Queen Elizabeth be invited to the Normandy ceremonies. She, the only ruler still living who lived through WWII and who worked in England's gallant war effort, was not invited by the French. Incredibly gauche.

On this trip, the President will stop over in Germany and visit Auschwitz. It is a political stop for him, objected to even by Obama's uncle, part of the American militiary that freed the Auschwitz victims. His uncle rejects the idea of using this site for gaining political cash; Obama can't see the horrific irony of using it while throwing our only mideast ally, Israel, under the bus. What ISN'T going on inside Obama's head is, at once, astounding and problematic.

While Obama will kow tow and make a "major address to Muslim nations," he has no qualms about insulting those other Americans hold near and dear.

Let me note that while the slobbering love affair with Obama's onscreen personality (or onteleprompter) continues, HE HAS YET TO CONVINCE ANYONE TO CHANGE THEIR BASIC STANCE AND SUPPORT US MONETARILY OR MILITARILY. He has, in fact, failed to impact any problem in any positive way; he continues to bamboozle the American public.

While Congress has at least begun to question some of what is going on, the question remains whether they or the American public will wake up and rub their knuckles hard against their eyes to get them to open after a way-too-long sleep.

politics commentary politicians Obama president Israel Netanyahu Palestinians Gaza Germany Auschwitz genocide Sderot "Not+with+a+Whimper"

IN OBAMA'S WORLD, MERIT IS A PUNISHABLE OFFENSE

2009-06-01T07:33:00.004-04:00

In Obama's dictionary, “merit” is a pejorative word. In Obama's world, it is a punishable offense, and he means to deal harshly with those miscreants who take personal responsibility to heart. Look at the consequences of the changes he proposes. In each case, the person, political faction, industry, or supporter is helped at the expense of those who have taken the straight and narrow.

POLITICAL APPOINTEES: One would assume that his vetted nominees would be beyond reproach, experts in their fields, and statesmen with deep backgrounds of proven and successful public service. Count the number of appointees with tax problems (labeled oversights), including our Secretary of the Treasury , Tim Geithner, whose job is to fix what ails the U.S. Economy. He can't even figure out his own taxes, but we are supposed to feel confident in his expertise—and the way he scoots the laws the rest of us follow.

Kathleen Sebelius, in charge of Health and Human Resources, also had tax problems caused by plumping up her deductions. She served as Kansas' governor, a state in such dire financial straits she contemplated issuing IOUs to state employees. She received contributions from Dr. Tiller, the man accused of making a fortune by doing late term abortions and breaking Kansas law by performing these on out-of-state women. Her job in the Obama administration is to shepherd his health reforms through the legislative process. Can we trust her to do that fairly and knowledgeably? I think not. She didn't even show expertise in Kansas, and we're not in Kansas anymore.
Obama's selections reiterate the problem many of us had with his acquaintances prior to being elected—Reverend Wright and Bill Ayers, to name just two. He does not choose his acquaintances by merit. He surrounds himself with people who stretch or break the law and then use their power or influence to avert the consequences. Dangerous stuff for our country, particularly as he rides the waves of popularity.

THE CAR INDUSTRY: This week reports announce that with Obama's control of the auto industry, the cost of a new car will rise approximately $1,700. Not to worry, says the president, you'll make it back in a few years of ownership. No one is against fuel efficient car, but how did it come to pass that the auto industry will build cars his way or not at all? Once again, merit and success are seen as evil, and the power and money go to the supporters and the greedy. Our rights as consumers to choose for ourselves is limited; he will tell us what is right for us.

Originally there was a cry for GM and Chrysler to avoid bankruptcy. Bailout money was supposed to allow time for them to make profitable cars. At the same time, foreign non-unionized companies like Toyota and Nissan were vilified, and when Toyota's sales fell, cheers practically rose from the printed page of the New York Times.

Again the question of merit arises. Treat your employees fairly, build a quality product, adhere to good business practices, and you will be successful and profitable. Avoid unionization and you are evil. The truth is that union demands have made it impossible for American car manufacturers to make a profit. They lose on every car they sell; so the more they sell, the deeper in red ink they drown. Any thinking person knew that when the bailouts began. But building a business based on sound judgement and practice isn't necessary in Obama's world. Loyalty and support are the vital elements; show them and you will profit. You will also know how to vote in the next election. Isn't that part of the plan? Look what happened.

When the smoke choking Washington DC cleared, Chrysler was in bankruptcy. The company might be acquired by Fiat—a foreign car manufacture. The unions (who Obama owed for their loyal and loud support during the election) will also own a share. Investors in the company would be paid very little on the dollar, and those who refuse to accept the deal were labeled un-American.. More bailout money poured from our pockets into Chrysler's coffers. Two things are certain; the unions did not chip in much to save their jobs, but now they own the company. Two more things are certain; Chrysler still is unable to turn a profit, and come next election, the flood of votes will continue to flow Obama's way.. He not only saved union jobs; he also saved union benefits. Here's my question: how will negotiations go when auto contracts expire? Will the union “owner” negotiate with union “workers”?

President Obama now holds a club over the car companies. The unions will support his every dream in order to keep the money flowing. The president can tell them what to build, how to build it, how to fuel it, etc., and there is no alternative to compliance. We see this already in his green car movement and the announcements about higher costs.

GM was ordered to close dealerships to avoid bankruptcy. In my neck of the woods, several dealerships have been ordered to close. At least three of them term themselves “profitable.” Cannot one consider operating a successful money making business a sign of business acumen and merit? Merit and profit don't work here, as noted by the continual failure to turn a profit by both Chrysler and GM.

What happens to the economy surrounding a closed dealership. With the closure is the loss of dealership jobs. Restaurants, coffee shops, local service businesses, gas stations, etc. lose business. That leads to more joblessness. Our president obviously is not a good chess player; he can't think of the consequences past his next move.

Additionally, eight billion dollars of TARP money has been funneled into GMAC, the lending arm of GM. It will be the principal lender of both GM cars and Chrysler cars. Consumer choice will dissipate as the government makes the business rules. As the government takes over the banks and car companies, we will be squeezed into changing the very character of American business. There has already been a question of political interference is choosing dealership.

One final question: With our money pouring in to prop up GM and Chrysler, how do other car companies compete? What happens to Ford, for instance?

CREDIT: No one denies that there are some positive changes in the laws impacting credit card companies,. The amount of consumer debt is staggering. Only 32% of consumers carry no credit card debt. People choose to live beyond their means, and eventually they get into trouble. Sears, for instance, profits more from its credit card business than from its retail business. Usurious interest rates don't help. These changes which might aid people not responsible enough to handle their money or credit wisely and people who live far beyond their means will also punish consumers who are responsible about their purchases and are rewarded by the credit card issuers. Merit is punished; irresponsibility is rewarded.

Credit card issuers project reinstituting annual fees and doing away with grace periods; interest accrues as soon as you sign the credit card receipt. Forget perks like rewards programs. You did the right thing—Obama will take you down!

Whoa....I've got to stop although there are so many more examples I can give. Write your congressmen and voice your concern. They may be listening a little better these days; there are elections in 2010.

Obama politics commentary politicians economy appointees GM Chrysler bailout bankruptcy Geithner Sebelius Tiller abortion Kansas Wright Ayers TARP credit

OBAMA, GITMO, AND THE NEWBURGH TERRORISTS

2009-05-22T11:49:00.005-04:00

At the same time President Obama is vague on his plans for closing Gitmo and dealing with its dregs-of-humanity-prisoners, he has been rebuffed by Congress in his attempts to grab another bunch of billions of dollars. They insist on an exit strategy first. Finally!

Obama is still so convinced of his popularity that he sees no reason to be transparent, forthcoming, or honest with the American public, and it looks like Congress, anxious about the next round of elections, is beginning to take note. Obama is a “show me the money” guy and probably a very poor chess player. He cannot see the consequences of each move nor think several moves ahead. Chess strategy competence would be useful as long as the president realizes that combating terrorists is not a political game.

Hopefully the country will hear the wake-up call of this Wednesday's failed homegrown-terrorist plot to use explosives to destroy a synagogue and community center in Riverdale, Bronx, New York. They also planned to use Stinger missiles to down military planes at Orange County’s Steward International Airport. We need to remember 9/11 and to understand that the war on terror—domestic as well as international—is not over.

Particularly frightening is the birth of this homegrown plot. Only one of the four men was born outside of the country and a Muslim by birth. The other three were thugs from Newburgh, New York. They converted to Islam in prison where the four became friends and hatched the plot. Finalized plans emanated from a mosque in Newburgh, New York. An informant notified authorities. Thank goodness for that informant and thank goodness that the FBI and State Police Swat teams were prepared and ready. What if there had been no informant?

Let’s look at the bigger picture.

1. Our prisons are a fertile breeding ground for recruiting proven violent people to act out their psychopathic disregard for human life, laws, values, and customs. ARE THESE PLACES TO SEND THE GITMO DETAINEES AND GIVE THEM THE OPPORTUNITY TO SPREAD THEIR POISON IN THE “BLAME AMERICA FIRST” TRADITION?

2. Will the Obama administration—indeed, the entire anti-Bush contingent—after unrelenting and unremitting attacks on methods used to foil homeland terrorist plots admit to the success of those methods and retain them or, as in the case of Gitmo where even the New York Times reports that seven out of ten released detainees return to terrorist activities, continue to rail and abandon successful methods?

3. At the expense of our country’s safety will Obama loyalists downplay the importance of these attempts and try to paint the participants as bungling idiots as they did with the Ft. Dix plot terrorists and the terrorist plot in Florida?

Already the Associated Press quotes Sen. Chuck Schumer as saying, “the group was relatively unsophisticated, penetrated easily and not connected to any outside group.” The idiocy is not on the part of the plotters. The idiocy is on the part of self-serving politicians who surmise that unsophisticated people cannot find ways to manufacture bombs. Just look on the internet. Hijacked aircraft took down the World Trade Center.

WABC news reported that the alleged suspects did not appear to have the ability to execute the plot. Perhaps they suggest we wait to see if they did. Pull back our experts and intelligence to level the playing field.

Returning to the Gitmo detainee connection, one has to wonder how these haters and murderers will fare once under the jurisdiction of Federal judges and the slew of lawsuits (probably ACLU) I prophesize will deluge the courts demanding swift trials, no isolation (cruel punishment), right to confront their accusers, government classified documents as evidence, etc. Will they be freed into society? They cannot be deported. No country will take them. (France took one person) Who will support them? Your tax dollars.

Obama should have learned a lesson after de-classifying enhanced interrogation documents. The backlash about releasing the photos (which I bet will be “leaked” anyway) caused problems. Then he denied the release of the documents outlining enhanced interrogation successes which Dick Cheney requested. He seems incapable of thinking ahead. Obama has to learn, before it’s too late, that when you put the cart before the horse, you aren’t going anywhere.

politics commentary opinion politicians Obama Gitmo detainees prison Newburgh "home-grown terrorists" terrorists plots Riverdale synagogue bombs FBI SWAT mosque Islam Muslim Congress Schumer WABC "enhanced interrogation" taxes elections Bronx "New York" missiles Bush York Times" "Ft. Dix" Florida France "Not With a Whimper"

2009-05-16T22:31:00.002-04:00

Here's a bit of humor for you--well, it would be funny if it weren't so true.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zhhkF3dqXR0

2009-04-27T21:52:00.002-04:00

This is a very important Washington Post article.

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2009/04/24/AR2009042403339.html?referrer=emailarticle

politics opinion "Washington+Post" CIA security commentary "Porter+Goss" al-quaida "Kahlid+Sheik+Mohammed" 9/11 interrogation terrorists "Not+With+A+Whimper"

CHAVEZ TO OBAMA: THE DIS-GIFT

2009-04-22T19:56:00.004-04:00

It’s important to get all the facts—if that’s possible. We’re being fed a diet of partial and edited facts. Saber es poder. Knowledge is power. Let's look a bit more closely at the progress made by President Obama with Venezuela’s Hugo Chavez and others.

We do know that on March 29, 2009, Chavez said this, “the least I can say is that he's (President Obama) a poor ignoramus; he should read and study a little to understand reality…."

We do know that the book Chavez gave President Obama is "Open Veins of Latin America: Five Centuries of the Pillage of a Continent" by Uruguayan author Eduardo Galeano. This book is an extension of the March 29th remark, and it is his condescending way of “educating” his American counterpart. His gift is merely the gift of public humiliation.

This book is a favorite of the left. Let me quote Jake Tapper, ABC News’ Senior White House correspondent. Read this to see the intent of this “gift.” (The emphasis is mine)

“The division of labor among nations is that some specialize in winning and others in losing," the book begins. "Our part of the world, known today as Latin America, was precocious: it has specialized in losing ever since those remote times when Renaissance Europeans ventured across the ocean and buried their teeth in the throats of the Indian civilizations. Centuries passed, and Latin America perfected its role."

Galeano writes that while the era of "lodes of gold" and "mountains of silver" has passed, "our region still works as a menial laborer. It continues to exist at the service of others' needs, as a source of oil and iron, of copper and meat, of fruit and coffee, the raw materials and foods destined for rich countries which profit more from consuming them than Latin America does from producing them."

At another point in the book, Galeano writes: "Our defeat was always implicit in the victory of others; our wealth has always generated our poverty by nourishing the prosperity of others."

The book also criticizes the U.S. for "spreading and imposing family planning. ... In Latin America it is more hygienic and effective to kill future guerillas in the womb that in the mountains or the streets."

There was no way for Mr. Obama to avoid accepting the book, and it was indeed gracious of him to joke about it. He was caught by a man shrewder than he and far savvier about the machinations of power. BUT, and this is a big but, we the people have been led to believe that our President is making inroads though his apologizing and, as I see it, groveling at the feet of foreign powers. That’s doesn’t really seem to be true, and our media is not reporting it. We have to search for the world’s reactions even as we shake our own heads in disbelief.

President Sarkozy of France had no hesitation, as reported by the Times on April 17th, of cracking jokes about Europe’s Obamamania, and even said about Mr. Obama’s planned visit to Normandy in June for the D-Day anniversary,

“I am going to ask him to walk on the Channel, and he’ll do it.”

He had no hesitancy in calling our President weak. He said, again according to The Times,

“Mr Obama was inexperienced and indecisive…Obama has a subtle mind, very clever and very charismatic,” the French President said. “But he was elected two months ago and had never run a ministry. There are a certain number of things on which he has no position. And he is not always up to standard on decision-making and efficiency.”

Obviously I’m neither a fan of Chavez (I don’t buy Citgo gasoline) or of Sarkozy. I think France has always needed a severe attitude adjustment. But I am a fan of the U.S.A. and I don’t see us in the way our President or some of the rest of the world sees us.

I want a President who is going to tout the good things we do. I didn’t hear any of that from him. I want him to stop talking as if all our problems began during the George W. Bush adminstration. I’d like to move our country forward as it was designed; I’m not interested in a “new foundation.” We’ve got a good foundation; let’s use that strong base to be better.

Obama Sarkozy Chavez gift books ABC "Jake+Tapper" France Normandy Bush USA politics commentary opinion politicians

NEW YORK STUDENTS AXED BY TAXES

2009-04-20T12:51:00.003-04:00

A shocking article in the April 15th edition of the Times Herald-Record reported that SUNY New Paltz is axing its RN program as well as closing its graduate programs in teaching. The closings will make the SUNY Albany campus the nearest affordable state graduate school to residents of any area between New York City and Albany. The cuts are in programs where students typically work full time and attend classes part time. This is a tough cut. For students it will cost time and money. More change at the expense of the middle class.

College President Steve Poskanzer downplayed the nursing cuts. “These people are already nurses.” A student countered by saying, “The program is all about making better nurses.” Doesn't the college president know that's what further education is all about? It hones skills.

The grad teaching programs (and one must have a graduate degree to be a fully licensed teacher in New York), will eliminate programs in chemistry, earth science, French, Spanish, and math. This at a time when there's a cry for math and science teachers. Once-upon-a-time-candidate-Obama suggested that we all learn Spanish. With the cry out for “more qualified teachers,” is seems sickenly ironic that these cuts are seen as a way to save money.

At the same time, the college is increasing parking, academic-course and gym fees.

The SUNY system is also increasing tuition by $620.00. But read this from the Times Herald-Record: “Poskanzer blamed the 'deep cuts' on the state's decision to 'break faith' with the SUNY system by instituting a $620 tuition increase, most of which was swept into other parts of the state budget.” IN OTHER WORDS, THE STATE IS TAXING STUDENTS IN THE NAME OF TUITION INCREASES BUT USING THE MONEY FOR OTHER PURPOSES.

This debacle brings up, once again, the issue of what is happening in the country. The powers that be do not call these money-grabbing forays into our pockets TAXES. But they're taking the money just the same, and using the money for??????? In this case it's not for the students.

It’s important for us to realize what is happening. Are we being lied too? I guess that depends on your definition (as it so often does nowadays) of a lie. But at the very least, we are purposefully not being told the whole story. We better wake up and make our outrage heard!

"New+York" SUNY taxes tuition students school college "grad+school" nursing teaching "grad+programs" "graduate+school" gym parking "Times Herald-Record" math science Spanish French chemistry "earth+science" government

TAX DAY & TEA PARTIES

2009-04-16T16:30:00.006-04:00

The flood of changes washing over this country is the past 100 days is frightening. Sometimes I feel as if we are drowning. Several things happened that seem to put more leaks in my sinking ship of state.

If the United States is to run as a republic, it must have an informed citizenship. The media coverage of yesterday's Tea Parties is one further proof that the powerful media outlets are twisting our minds, and if it continues, America will be ruled by a few very powerful individuals out for self-aggrandizement. Even now I feel disenfranchised.

Yesterday's Tea Parties were not covered with any kind of honesty by any news outlet that I could discover other than Fox. That's chilling since Fox has been labeled by the Networks and other Cable stations as extremist, and many, without even looking at Fox, have bought that lie as truth. No other outlet mentioned that there were over 2,300 tea parties around the country with all kinds of numbers. In fact, I heard a CNN reporter verbally attacked a participant. She then turned to the camera and said that this was an “anti-government” rally, conservative rally, and one touted by Fox news. That statement is a blatant lie. It's not anti-government; it's anti-taxing government, and the people at the tea parties were Democrats, Republicans, Independents, and anyone else who thinks enough is enough! Mr. President, Congress, quit groping. Our pockets do not belong to you!

This morning, Robin Meade on CNN, gave the tea parties about twenty seconds of airtime, dismissing them as GOP rallies. No mention of numbers of rallies; no mention of number of participants. What we don’t know CAN hurt us.

Today's New York Times did not have anything about the rallies on its front page. My local paper, the Times Herald Record out of Middletown, had nothing, but they did have a paragraph touting Newt Gingrich as the new GOP “guru” and suggesting Newt Gingrich is attempting to re-insert himself in the political arena with an aim to run in 2012. What is that all about?

Anyone not tuned in to Fox news cannot be faulted for having missed the entire event. They fell prey to the media's obvious intent to deny them the right to judge the event and its participants for themselves. That's pretty scary. Uninformed, we are unarmed. Keep people ignorant and you can keep them under your thumb.

At the same time, Homeland Security “Czar” Janet Napolitano, who only a few weeks ago had no fear of our border insecurity, issued an "assessment" to law enforcement agencies: be wary of people who support single issues (pro-life, immigration, taxes, etc), returning military vets, supporters of third party candidates, and people whose paranoia made them suspicious of the “one world” view. Watch for bumper stickers supporting third party candidates. These people could be dangerous to the country. Huh? This morning I watched her defend the "assessment."

As if this is not bad enough, toss in the announcement that members of the President's staff serve on a special taskforce that reviews the President's speeches and appearances and “edits” them before they appear on youtube. What we see then, is “photo-shopped” perfection—no errors, no gaffs, no questionable lines.

The other day, for instance, President Obama, made an error some might call Freudian. He spoke about being against “privacy” when he meant to say “piracy.” Big difference, huh? Bet you won't hear that gaff on the internet. This type of instant revisionism is important since even the questionable pronunciation of the word “nuclear” by George W. Bush left Democrats rolling on the floor and insisting he was a bloody moron. When Obama spoke to the students in Turkey, he could not remember the Russian president's name. BTW, it's Medvedev Mr. President. He bowed to the Saudi King, then denied it. When he was called on it, he should have been singing that old country cheating song about “believing your lying eyes."

These are manipulative examples of which I am aware. What else is going on? Well, here's a President who can't give a speech without a teleprompter and is dismal at impromptu speaking. Who is writing the words for him, and when does he have time to make sure his speechwriters are really getting his ideas across? More and more I get the feeling that I am not getting the real story about anything, and that makes me very nervous. Think about it.

Obama taxes tea party protests news media opinion CNN FOX politics commentary reporting New York Times Times Herald-Record Napolitano Homeland Security immigration abortion photoshop

Taliban Ops Chief was at Gitmo

2009-03-11T16:10:00.001-04:00

This Associated Press article is worth reading:

http://www.military.com/news/article/taliban-ops-chief-was-at-gitmo.html?col=1186032310810

He's not the first of these "innocents" to be released and return to trying to kill our soldiers. It makes me wonder about Congress' measure of value in the world. Apparently the "rights" of these terrorists is more important than the rights, lives, and protection of Americans or the lives of our military.

Congress doesn't care about bringing these terrorists to the U.S. where they will be accorded the privilege of our justice system in which the way evidence is obtained becomes as important as the evidence itself. In this case, it means spilling the beans about techniques, informers, and other intelligence techniques, thereby weakening what data collection we have to help protect us from, among other things, another 9/11. These are things the intelligence community CAN'T reveal. American justice is geared toward "after the deed is committed" as opposed to planning and/or being a force to commit a heinous act. Differs from Sharia law, doesn't it?

Congress doesn't seem to give a rat's tail about being party to aiding and abetting the Taliban in killing Americans. But each terrorist released back into the wild is part of their disregard. Thank you Sen. Murtha and your ilk and your kith and kin.

Obama Congress politics politicians opinion Taliban Gitmo Murtha 9/11 war Afghanistan soldiers Americans

$410 BILLION IN PORK--BUT NOT EVERYONE IS GRABBING. FIND OUT WHO ISN'T CHASING PIG

2009-03-02T22:23:00.005-05:00

Listen carefully folks. While you’re drowning on CHANGE (and this you can believe in), and you hope someone comes to the rescue, you better pray it’s your audiologist and your old English teacher. You’ve got to parse every word you hear from our government officials or you won’t know where you’ve sprung a leak in your savings, your future, and your children’s future. Remember that this “mandate” we keep hearing of came about with a 52% win of the popular vote. That number doesn’t become a synonym for landslide!

This monumental budget President Obama introduced will help him keep his campaign promises by plunging us into inconceivable debt. This budget was ready to present last summer (with Obama’s co-sponsored earmarks; see http://a-big-bang.blogspot.com/2009/02/obama-removes-his-name-from-pork-barrel.html ), but Nancy Pelosi held it up waiting for the new administration. The result of all this spending will be that the middle class, which really came into existence after the Second World War, will be destroyed by tax increases. Maybe income taxes will rise “slightly” (depending on your definition of the word “slightly”), but we will be taxed in other ways—energy usage, loss of deductions for mortgage insurance, charitable donations, etc. The net result will be higher costs for everything!

I’m not surprised about the charitable donation change. When the numbers came out during the election, I was shocked to learn that I donated a higher percentage of my income than Barak Obama—and to a wider range of charities. Joe Biden’s charitable contributions were at best negligible. How telling. These are people who eschew personal responsibility toward others. They are not their brother’s keepers. They want government to take the responsibility. Scary. They’ll decide to whom we should be charitable.

Chuck Schumer says the American people “don’t care” about earmarks—those little bits of personal vote-buying tidbits officials bring home and hand out to thankful donors. It’s a perverted pay it forward: government to representative, representative to businessman, etc.

I can’t totally blame Democrats for the 9,000 pieces of pork, earmarks, special projects or whatever the name of choice is these days. The Democrats account for 60% of the barrel. The Republicans get 40%. So much for principle. But I listened to the President’s campaign speech when he said he was going to get rid of earmarks. I watched the President’s budget speech. I heard him say there were no earmarks in this budget, and I watched Pelosi, sitting behind him, break into that stiff botox-driven grin. They really do think we’re stupid. And some of us obviously are!

Those non-existent pieces of pork will cost us $410 billion. That's a lot of something for nothing! LOL I guess that number is considered inconsequential these days when our President pooh-poohs things that cost trillions. But the dollar I don’t contribute to the government is the dollar I get to keep, and $410 billion in a country with a population somewhat over 300 million means I get to hold on to some dollars for which I worked. I like that idea! Too bad my holding on to MY money doesn’t seem important to President Obama.

There is still some integrity in Congress. There are some Congressmen and Senators who do not take pork. This year all were Republican except for four Democrats who stood up to the broken campaign promise.

The people with anti-pork barrel integrity are (and not in any particular order): Flake, Boehner, Cantor, Campbell, Nunes, Westmorland, Kline, McCoud, Jones, Hensarling, McHenry, Foxx, Burton, Price Shadegg, Ryan Pitts, Jenkins, Lance, Pence, Chaffetz, Cooper, Waxman, Hunter, Rooney, McClintock, Coffman, DeMint, Coburn, Feingold, McCaskell, Burr, and McCain. That’s all, folks.

Kudos to these representatives. Go online and email them. Thank them for their integrity. Maybe if they know we know of and appreciate the right thing….

Know, too, that Rep. Jeff Flake (R. AZ) attempted to introduce a measure to have the House Ethics Committee investigate the relationship between earmarks and contributions. His measure was tabled—in other words, killed. All but two Republicans and 17 Democrats voted for the measure.

Terrible, huh? But what did you expect?

politics opinion politicians Obama Congress taxes stimulus recovery pork earmarks ethics Pelosi budget Flake Boenher Cantor Campbell Nunes Westmoreland Kline McCaul Janes Hensarling McHenry Jenkins Lance Hunter Rooney McClintock Coffman Foxx Price Ryan Burton shadegg Pitts DeMint Coburn Feingold McCaskill Burr McCain

OBAMA REMOVES HIS NAME FROM THE PORK BARREL

2009-02-27T14:39:00.003-05:00

A quick point.

Of the 9,000 pieces of pork thrown in the budget--60% Democrat (oink, oink, Joe Biden) and 40% Republican (did you leave your principles at the door?)--the ones co-sponsored by then-Senator Obama have lost one sponsor. Obama's name, which appeared many times over, has been removed from all the legislation. His name has been removed; the pork remains under the aegis of others. Hmmmmm Nothing like trust, transparency, hope and change.

What did you expect?

politics opinion Obama taxes budget Biden Republicans Democrats money pork earmarks

REAL IDENTITY THEFT! TAXPAYER MONEY TO PAY CREDIT CARD BILLS???!!!

2009-02-27T14:18:00.002-05:00

You can’t make this stuff up.

In Houston, the mayor proposed taking taxpayer money to pay off the credit card debt of individuals so that they could up their credit scores thus enabling them to qualify for mortgages. Apparently governments all over have caught the Obama bug and in their delusional state have come to see the taxpayers’ money as their own to hand out to whomever they choose.

In this case, up to $3,000 would go to pay off credit card debt or loans such as car loans. No matter that these people got themselves into credit score trouble buying things they couldn’t afford or buying that nice, big SUV or, since this is Texas, a truck instead of a Ford Focus. There’s the rest of us to bail them out. We can just cut back on our own spending, despite the fact that we are living within our means and paying our bills on time.

In America, apparently, paying your bills on time is definitely un-American.

Here’s the link to the Houston Chronicle article when this bill was billed. Read it and weep.

politics opinion taxes Texas Houston debt "credit+cards" stimulus recovery Obama

OMIGOSH-WE'VE ELECTED A POSTER BOY

2009-02-26T16:40:00.001-05:00

We’ve elected a Poster Boy. President Obama cannot make the switch from candidate to President. He runs around the country giving campaign speeches, scaring the daylights out of people, harking back to President Bush just in case there is a single citizen left who might blame Congress (in particular Barney Frank, Chris Dodd, Nancy Pelosi and Harry Reid) for the problems we’re in. His gloom and doom approach puts the public in a depressed panic, and he suggests irreversibility if the country does not follow his lead.

The odd thing about going along with him is that he hasn’t led. The pork filled, non-stimulus, attack on the working middle-class bill wasn’t constructed by him. It is a Pelosi-Reid production loaded with the left-leaning ideology-driven programs they couldn’t pass as individual bills. Admittedly not one member of Congress—in either House—read the stimulus (now renamed Recovery) before they voted. The President, insisting on its immediate signing in order to avoid imminent disaster, headed to Chicago for the weekend without reading it, and in a campaign (oops) stop several days later at an RV factory town, signed it into law. (This self-same president who wants us to be wary of our gasoline usage makes his pitch in an RV factory town? Hmmmm)

During the election, if one didn’t vote for Obama, you were branded a racist. Now, if you don’t blindly follow—and it’s got to be blind since no one who gave us this humongous bill read it—you’re not supportive. If you don’t go along, you’re the enemy. I haven’t heard one ad hominem attack on Obama—a Democratic staple for President Bush—but the Obama groupies continue to attack with name-calling and demonization of people who don’t agree with President Obama’s direction.

What we are still getting from President Obama is a windstorm of hot air. No specifics. No HOWs. In his forthcoming 3.5 Trillion Dollar budget, he announced some cuts in the millions of dollars. That’s supposed to be impressive? But even as I watched him deliver this retooling of the budget part of his speech to Congress, he made sure to call the accounting of the Iraq/Afghanistan wars “dishonest” and continue to slam President Bush several times. OHHHH Obama is grand at this!

Our “recovery” bill is loaded with pork. What part of the pig will show up in the budget? We’ve already seen him break promises about bringing lobbyists into his administration; we’ve already seen a cabinet filled with tax cheats; we’re hearing Obama-speak about nationalizing banks. Today Congress worked on the Fairness Doctrine, though they’re not calling it that. The Omnibus bill adds another 450 billion in handouts. Gotta listen very carefully to this guy because we need to know the meaning of “is.”

Obama politics opinion government stimulus recovery money budget Pelosi Reid Frank Dodd taxes deficit president Congress nationalization Bush "Fairness+Doctrine"

"I WON" = WE PAY

2009-01-24T12:25:00.003-05:00

Someone ought to teach this Democratic Congress how to get a horse to stop (pull in the reins and say “whoa”) or how to stop a car (press on the brakes) or a runaway train (pull on the break lever). Someone ought to get a competent Chesley Sullenberger-type to land the broken “jet-of-state” safely. We are like lemmings heading to the edge of a cliff and getting closer everyday. We are like turkeys with our heads up and our beaks open during a sudden downpour.

We are on the verge of disaster, and when confronted by House Minority Whip Eric Cantor (R-VA) about giving tax credits to people who don’t pay taxes, our new President Barak Obama says, “I won. So I think on that one I trump you.” Huh???

Exactly how to fix our broken economy seems still to be unclear to all experts, but last I looked, the word “stimulus” means “something that arouses and excited to activity.” As I said earlier

(http://a-big-bang.blogspot.com/2009/01/will-bush-bashing-remain-our-press.html),

the proposed stimulus package put together without any Republican input (not that they've shown more sense; they voted for the first package) contains so much pork that Congress ought to add that to the fart bill they’ve suggested for cows!!!!! I’m not sure who is passing that murderously horrific gas, and I think it’s coming from Pelosi, Reid, & Co.

I have one question about several aspects of the bill. HOW DO THESE PROPOSALS STIMULATE THE ECONOMY TO RESTORE NATIONAL FINANCIAL HEALTH?

$726 million for afterschool snacks
$50 million for the NEA (National Education Association)
$200 million for work on the National Mall—including grass
(deemed too expensive during the boon years)
Many other millions for contraception, Medicare, Head Start, nurse training, student loans.

I AM NOT SAYING THESE ARE NOT WORTHY CAUSES; I’M SAYING THESE DO NOTHING TO JUMPSTART THE ECONOMY.

The original package was supposed to deal with the base problem—the mortgage crisis. Where’s the money for that? And how is that money being spent?

The American public is being DUPED AGAIN so that President Obama can say he got a lot done in his first one hundred days? What is this Congress thinking?

politics politicians review opinion Washington Congress Obama Pelosi Reid Cantor stimulus "stimulus+bill" "I+won" Medicare snacks contraception Mall grass nursing NEA loans housing "financial+crisis" Democrats Republicans "100+days" bills

THE WHITE HOUSE'S OFFICIAL WEBSITE--FROM OBAMA WHAT YOU HEAR IS NOT WHAT YOU GET

2009-01-21T11:26:00.008-05:00

Isn't it a pity that the official White House website, a site activated at 12:01 PM on January 20th, already breaks President Obama's first proclamation "A National Day of Renewal and Reconciliation." There are several instances of Bush bashing, but the statements on Hurricane Katrina are the most egregious. Knock Mr. Bush and pat yourself on the back seemed to be the real order of the day.

“President Obama will keep the broken promises made by President Bush to rebuild New Orleans and the Gulf Coast. He and Vice President Biden will take steps to ensure that the federal government will never again allow such catastrophic failures in emergency planning and response to occur.”

“President Obama swiftly responded to Hurricane Katrina. Citing the Bush Administration's "unconscionable ineptitude" in responding to Hurricane Katrina….”

Reconciliation????? Renewal?????? As President Bush said to the well-wishers upon his return to Texas, he returned with the same values he left with, and he could look himself in the mirror. One minute after taking office, President Obama ought to be ashamed.

Obama elections inauguration Bush Washington politics opinion "White+House" "White+House+website" Bush-bashing Texas proclamations renewal Katrina Senate

WILL BUSH-BASHING REMAIN OUR PRESS' NATIONAL PASTTIME?

2009-01-18T22:11:00.005-05:00

Even as Barak Obama and his slobbering fans prepare for his coronation, the Bush haters cannot let up one iota. I expect to see Chris Matthews begin to shake—this time from Bush-withdrawal syndrome rather than from arousal caused by Barak Obama. Earlier this week, the Bushes were slammed for spending money (from a private fund set up for that purpose) on new State china. The economy is bad, so this cost is extravagant. Did I hear anything about toning down the inauguration because of its extravagance?

This morning I watched sections of CBS’s Sunday Morning with Charles Osgood. One segment dealt with inauguration speeches. Presidents from George Washington forward were mentioned for their good or bad speeches, their brief or lengthy speeches, their memorable or forgotten lines or for any other number of reasons. Neither picture nor mention was made of George W. Bush. Another segment dealt with how presidents age in office as they deal with the stress. Guess who was omitted. To CBS, President George W. Bush doesn’t exist, and the sooner CBS can deny his contributions in any way, the better.

The press has been having at blast at delivering parting shots. George W. Bush cannot even say that there are things he would have done differently without getting slammed! His farewell address was torn apart by these ravenous dogs. Editorial pages are filled with opinions on President Bush's "failed" presidency. He's been called the worst president in history.

Called the messiah by at least one famous idiot, Barak Obama, I suppose, will never take a wrong turn leading us out of the wilderness. He’s not the Moses some have compared him too; he's better. Moses made mistakes and never got to the Promised Land. Nor is Obama the Lincoln he compares himself to. Lincoln's focus was on preserving the Union; Obama’s is to alter it.

Sunday Morning even tossed some comments about the transition team President Bush organized to make sure Obama does not come into the White House as he did. Remember? He came into a White House trashed by the departing Administration. Not only did Clinton and Hilary take “souvenirs” but also their staffs wrecked computers and removed the letter w from keyboards, carved messages into the desks, and left graffiti. Taxpayers paid for the damages, and the departing First Couple got a pass.

President Bush made sure that President-elect Obama was fully briefed on what is going on around the world. His staff was given “worse case scenarios” and went through the procedures, etc. that would be followed in a variety of situations. Even as Mr. Obama talks about dismantling much of our intelligent gathering possibilities, President Bush leaves him a country that has not been attacked since the horrific events of 9/11. President Bush should be applauded and recognized for his actions. Let’s pray Obama continues to safeguard us.

While members of the media continue to deride President Bush, partly I fear to give our new President a cushy landing, I’m wondering when the honeymoon will end. Will it be when the truth about some of his appointees becomes more apparent? (Treasury Secretary Geithner’s failure to pay $34,000 in taxes is, in Obama’s words an “innocent mistake.” Attorney General Erik Holder’s supporting pardons for FALN terrorists and financial swindler Marc Rich doesn’t seem to bother him either.) Will it be when so many of his unkept and always unkeepable promises dash the hope of those who voted for him? Will it be when the country wakes up to the biggest pork barrel (nicknamed the stimulus package) ever rolled out of Congress without any Republican input but pushed by Pelosi, supported by Reid and branded ok by Obama? Is the press just too stupid to get it and the American public too mesmerized to demand it?

I’ll be glad when I no longer get anti-Bush “jokes” in my email. I will not miss the constant unfair criticism and disrespect. I will love not having Americans go abroad to knock my president or my country. I also wish Obama to succeed in keeping America safe and great. I want him treated with the respect the office deserves. I have my fingers crossed, but honestly, I don’t have much hope.

politics politicians opinion "political+opinion" election 2008 inauguration Obama Bush presidents "Bush-bashing"

REPEATED WARNING ABOUT FUEL TAXES

2009-01-05T09:45:00.003-05:00

Go back to June
(http://a-big-bang.blogspot.com/2008/06/gas-taxes-is-governments-cash-cow.html)
and July http://a-big-bang.blogspot.com/2008/07/more-on-our-gas-woes-dont-expect.html
when I warned about Congress and states working themselves into a lather about raising gas taxes. They just didn't have the nerve during the election period.

Now that Obama is safely awaiting his inauguration and gas prices have stopped causing holes in our government-evaluated deep pockets, they feel it's time to act. It will come quickly.

BTW, the fall in gas prices coincided with George Bush's pronouncement that we SHOULD drill offshore. AFTER that announcement came the news about a change in our driving habits.

My biggest problem is that it appears I underestimated the extent to which the government is willing to steal from us. $.10 doesn't quite meet their needs, so we should start buying those little jars labled "gas money." Start saving now.

Not only that, there is the move to put GPS devices in cars to tax us additionally on milegage. Several states are considering it now. But here's the scoop: They will decide it is too much invasion on privacy because your destinations might be tracked. How to get around that? When you have your car's yearly inspection, a tax will be levied on the odometer readings. The ACLU will breathe a sigh of relief and we will follow like lemmings to our financial demise thinking the government is looking out for our rights.

And a final note. Thank you Gov. Corzine. The gas stations on the Jersey Turnpike are Lukoil--Russian owned. Nothing like supporting U.S. Yeah, nothing.

JUDGING DEMOCRATS: ONE MORE BLUNDER AS BILL RICHARDSON TRIPS UP AND OUT

2009-01-05T08:45:00.007-05:00

The news about Bill Richardson's withdrawal as the Secretary of Transportation calls for some serious thinking about how to judge Democrats.

1. Remember the transistion from Bill Clinton to George W. Bush. The Clintons themselves ransacked the White House taking with them everything they wanted that wasn't nailed down. Their staff wrecked the computers, stealing the W keys, and carving obsene messages in the desks. The offices were a mess and had to be redone--AT TAXPAYER EXPENSE.

George W. Bush, on the other hand, created a Transition Coordinating Committee. Security Clearance was started months ago so that key positions could be filled ASAP. Remember that as late as 9/11, some Bush appointees had not been cleared. Apparently President Bush will conclude his terms as President with the respect the office deserves. Character counts when we judge a person.

ON THE OTHER HAND...

2. Barak Obama, haunted, if only by saavy voters, by his associations, continues to be shielded by the media as his appointees and past label him a political opportunist. Fighting his lack of experience, he choses Bill Richardson as Transportation Secretary. Here's a double whammy: experience and Hispanic. BUT Richardson is embroiled in a Federal investigation of his own, and the press has once again chosen sides.

There is no widespread reporting that the company that donated $100,000 normally donated to Republicans so was less likely to suddenly shift to donate to Bill Richardson-affiliated organizations. Nor are there reports that the multi-million state contracts went to this company--Los Angeles based. I'm sure the taxpayers of New Mexico are pleased with that.

3. Perhaps we should consider ourselves lucky because more important than this Federal Investigation is that Richardson was in the running for President. Once again a politician has publicly proven that personal gain is far more important than public good.

4. Harry Reid, our leading Senator, doesn't like the smell of tourists in the summer. He represents us smelling, nosy, folk!

5. Harry Reid, our leading Senator, publicly states that the Senate can seat (or not seat) anyone it chooses for no stated reason even if the person meets the Constitutional requirements. How's that for Chutzpah! We'll see how he reacts to Roland Burris.
politics commentary Demorcrats Bush Obama Clinton transition "political+appointee" Richardson Reid Burris Senate Congress government president

NEW YORK TERROR WARNING--NOT THE FIRST

2008-11-26T22:32:00.002-05:00

Somehow the Bush-haters are so mindlessly addicted that they are incapable of ceasing and desisting even as the President enters his final days in office. He was lambasted for attended the economic summit in Peru; dimwitted utterly contemptuous op-ed columnist Gail Collins called for the President to resign (after VP Cheney resigns) and simply hand over the government to Nancy Pelosi (ugh) until Messiah Obama takes command of the ship of state; even a numbskull Colorado State University newspaper editor cost his paper $30,000. in advertising after printing a “F**k Bush” column. He, at least, has been asked to resign. I’m still receiving not-funny anti-Bush slams from a woman who gets her “facts” from the Huffington Post, the Daily Kos, and bathroom walls.

I look at the President in a different way although his second term was hardly up to par. The United States, unlike many countries around the world, has not been hit with any more attacks. Under President Bush, we have been kept safe.

Read these excerpts from an Associated Press release, November 26th:
…
NEW YORK – Police bolstered security in subways and trains Wednesday after the government warned that al-Qaida suicide bombers were contemplating an attack on New York's mass-transit systems during the holiday season. An internal memo obtained by The Associated Press says the FBI has received a "plausible but unsubstantiated" report that al-Qaida terrorists in late September may have discussed attacking the subway system…A Pakistani immigrant was arrested and convicted for a scheme to blow up the subway station at Herald Square in 2004. There was also a planned cyanide attack on the subways by al-Qaida operatives that authorities say was called off in 2002; another aborted al-Qaida plot to destroy the Brooklyn Bridge in 2003; and a plot to bomb underwater train tunnels to flood lower Manhattan, which was broken up in 2006 by several arrests overseas.

How many foiled plots were there of which we are not aware? Under President Bush’s watch, we have not had a repeat of 9/11 even as the ACLU, activist judges, anti-warmongers as well as members of our own Congress have sought to limit or eliminate our ability to gather intelligence or punish those who have sought to destroy us. Fifty of the released “unfairly treated” prisoners of Guantanamo have been re-captured as they’ve tried to kill American military.

It will be interesting to see how our next President deals with Guantanmo and the scum imprisoned there. No country wants to take them because they are exactly what they appear to be. Let’s leave that to see what develops.

Meanwhile, thank you President Bush, for working hard to keep us safe.

news opinion politics "political+opinion" terror "New+York" subways 9/11 Bush Obama Collins Cheney Pelosi "Colorado+State" "Huffington+Post" "Daily+Kos" President "Associated+Press" immigrants "Herald+Square" al-Quaida "Brooklyn+Bridge" ACLU Guantanamo Congress judges

PUNISH LIEBERMAN?--ANOTHER NEGATIVE FOR THE DEMOCRATS

2008-11-19T12:36:00.006-05:00

There’s no doubt that the Democrats think they know what’s best for us. Joe Lieberman’s constituents returned him to the Senate despite efforts by the Democrats to block this Dem-turned-Independent from gaining re-election, the Dems want to punish Lieberman for voicing his honest opinion and supporting McCain. This is also despite the fact that Lieberman remains a registered Democrat and primarily aligns himself with the Democratic Party. But Patrick Leahy, D-Vt., doesn’t think that’s enough. He doesn’t want Lieberman “rewarded” for his defection even though Lieberman already holds the Chairmanship of the Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee. He was good enough before the election but somehow falls short now? Apparently the continued abandonment of the idea of merit remains for the Democrats.

One would think that the members of Congress have no responsibility to act according to the wishes of the voters who put them there. It’s about them and not about us, or in this case at the very least about the voters who returned Lieberman to the Senate. The Democratic leadership apparently feels nothing about their rights, wishes, or representation. It’s about consolidating Democratic power so theirs is the only voice heard. That’s pretty scary.

Ironically the only argument I’ve heard against punishing Senator Lieberman is that it goes against Obama’s pledge of bi-partisanship and therefore might alienate some of his supporters and that might cause Lieberman to bolt and join the Republicans. The latter argument is so in line with the Democrats because they don’t seem to work on principle. Lieberman is simply not in step with many of the Republican views; they’re accusing him of doing what they do—compromise principles in order to get ahead. That’s pretty scary.

The Republicans, of course, would welcome Joe Lieberman to the GOP caucus. It’s in a shambles and lacks direction. Someone who can actually take a stand and articulate it well would be welcome addition. They certainly did not have that in John McCain.

If he plays his cards right, Joe Lieberman can wield a lot of power and influence in the new administration. As both sides vie for his vote, he may be able to make political deals to do some real good. Wouldn’t that be a nice result for Congress for a change?

Lieberman Congress election politics opinion "political+opinion" Obama Democrats Republicans Senate Leahy Vermont McCain "Homeland+Security" "Not+With+A+Whimper" "a-big-bang"

WHAT DID YOU EXPECT?

2008-11-16T12:57:00.004-05:00

With the election over, we will have a new President in Jan., and he has already given pause to think. I’m not going to spend the next four years berating him idiotically as many of my friends berated President Bush. Imagine saying, “He’s stupid. Anyone can fly one of those jets with all the gizmos in it.” Anyway, I’m not going to throw hissy fits and sit and glare whenever Obama’s name is mentioned. But I am going to continue to think, to listen to different sources and different points of view and not, as another friend does, check in on The Huffington Post or the Daily Kos for her facts. I wish the new President the best of luck in keeping our country on course. He is, after all, my president too. I’m not offering up any of the deranged, irrational hatred I’ve heard for the last eight years.

But here are some issues that are troublesome:

1. After making a statement that “there can only be one president,” Barak Obama found a way not to weigh in on some matters but then threateningly posed that if Congress doesn’t act “in this lame duck session” on another stimulus package, he will immediately after the inauguration. Additionally he will now offer HIS OWN weekly address via radio and internet until the inauguration. One president? I thought that was George W. Bush.

2. At his first news conference, no reporter from FOX or any of the papers that endorsed John McCain were called upon for a question. Is this more of the vindictive behavior that had reporters thrown off his campaign plane in favor of reporters from Essence? I will keep a close eye on the “Fairness Doctrine” debates.

3. How will the auto industry be handled? Pelosi has said that there will be limits on “executive pay,” but it is the backbreaking unions who also must give up something to keep the industry going. Will the Dems challenge the unions that support them? How can the money keep the auto industry afloat if there is no restructuring of management AND if the money offered is earmarked for smaller, more efficient cars in an industry that is not tooled to build them?

4. How will our military be treated? Barney Frank & Co. has already promised a 25% cut in military spending. Do we want our military in the shape it was at the beginning of the Iraq War—under-supplied, and under-protected? I certainly do not!

5. The economic crisis is huge. How could it not be? The Dems tossed aside every economic rule to make sure people who cannot afford homes got them. Then they watched with feigned surprise as those very people could not pay their mortgages and the snowball became an avalanche. I want to keep a close eye on my taxes!

That certainly is enough to keep me busy, but there were many more campaign promises our “country’s savior” made. It will be interesting, and probably very painful to watch. I am thinking of adding another bumper sticker to my car. The first one says, Mark Twain for President “It’s better to be popular than right.” My new one should succinctly read, “What did you expect?”

Obama president election Bush January "Huffington+Post" "Daily+Kos" "lame+duck" FOX McCain Congress Pelosi "Fairness+Doctrine" "auto+industry" bailout military soldiers Democrats "Barney+Frank" budget mortgages taxes "bumper+stickers" "Mark+Twain"

WATCH THIS AS OBAMA PROMISES TO CREATE A DEFENSELESS AMERICA

2008-10-26T22:12:00.002-04:00

DO-NOTHING CONGRESS FINDS SOMETHING TO DO--TOO BAD IT'S THE WRONG THING TO DO

2008-09-22T19:27:00.003-04:00

At an August AIDS conference in Mexico City, the U.S. was praised for ending its 15-year-old law banning HIV-positive people from entering the country. But that ban has yet to be lifted by the Bush administration, much to the ire of the usual groups. I’m glad it hasn’t yet been done. The bill had bi-partisan backing—Sens. John Kerry (D), no longer the most liberal Democrat in Congress since Barak Obama arrived on the scene, and Gordon Smith (R) of Oregon. Since then, 58 Dems have written to the President asking him to take “swift action on this issue.”

I guess that’s because the Congress so swiftly reacts to problems facing American citizens-----like the financial crisis brought on by the sub-prime mortgage debacle or the people in the U.S. devastated by Hurricane Ike. (although a bill promptly surfaced to help the people of Haiti)

I suppose the Congress feels HIV should be removed from the list of communicable diseases of public health significance because….That’s where I get stuck. Because….

Granted we know enough to have overcome the unwarranted fears of how HIV is spread, and true, many people innocent of some of the more behavior-prone ways of contracting this horrendous affliction have been infected and may feel unfairly targeted, BUT are we to assume that visitors to this country who are HIV positive will cease being intravenous drug users who share needles, refrain from unprotected sex so they do not spread the disease, tell the people with whom they have relationships that they are HIV positive or refrain from any other kind of behavior that promotes the spread of HIV? Sorry, John Kerry, Gordon Smith, and you additional 58 Congressman. I don’t assume that. I go back to the great line by Felix Unger in The Odd Couple: ASSUME means to make an ASS of U and ME.

We’ve got people in Washington quaking in their boots that someone out there might not like us so they are constantly considering those outside America over the ones they are elected to protect and to serve. Last July 30, President Bush signed into law a five-year $48 billion bill to fight AIDS, malaria and tuberculosis around the world. Those are good intentions, but he should have vetoed the bill because it contained this lifting of the ban. Can you imagine the outcry had he vetoed it? Despite the names he would have been called, he should have used that veto power, and Congress should get its act together and put Americans' best interests first.

Bush politics "political+commentary" politicians "John+Kerry" "Gordon+Smith" senators laws HIV Mexico AIDS Congress "communicable+diseases" "sub-prime+mortgages" "Hurricane+Ike" Haiti sex drugs disease "Felix+Unger" "The+Odd+Couple" Washington malaria tuberculosis

ALL THE NEWS (THEY DECIDE) THAT'S FIT TO PRINT

2008-09-20T10:59:00.006-04:00

If you watch TV news, you may have missed this horrendous event. On Wed., Sept., 18, there was an attack on the U.S. embassy in Yemen that left 16 people dead including a newlywed from New York there for an arranged wedding.

This is the same Yemen where 17 American sailors lost their lives in the Oct. 12, 2000 suicide bombing of the U.S.S. Cole.

The AP reported that the militants who launched this latest attack in Yemen are linked to al-Qaida, BUT most news outlets, if they ran the story at all, gave it a necessary inclusion and then let it drop. No follow up. Not even extensive "human interest" coverage of the American woman killed in the bombing. No further discussion of the role of al-Qaida.

We don’t hear much about the war on terror in the news these days. We still hear each time an armed services member dies, but thankfully those numbers are substanially diminishing as the Iraqis take over security their country. We are almost never reminded of that change in military. It's better for the liberals to focus on loss of life and imply it is for a non-cause.

Nor are we reminded that almost all of Congress’ “benchmarks” for Iraq have been achieved. We’re led to believe, through lies of omission, that the War in Iraq continues as it was and that the Iraqi government and people are incapable of governing themselves. There are people out there who want us to become familiar with the word "quagmire" despite its inappropriateness.

How many of you know that Kuwait is no considered a combat zone and those military personnel there can wear civilian clothing and no longer carry weapons?

There is a motive behind this blatant withholding of news. It is the presidential elections. A biased and liberal media wants Americans believing the worst as the presidential election approaches. It keeps us ignorant of the truth. It marginalizes Obama’s steadfast refusal to admit that he was wrong in many of his votes concerning the war despite his agreement that the surge worked “beyond our wildest dreams,” a statement I disagree with as Petraeus & Co. certainly aimed for the results the surge achieved. The withholding of war allows McCain’s steadfast understanding and support of our efforts to fade into the background.

You might say today's top story is the economic picture, and you may have a point, but when the news is full of Caylee Anthony’s disappearance, O.J. Simpson’s trial, Lindsay Lohan's political views while ignoring the fact that Dem. Mark Foley will not be prosecuted for sending sexual emails to teenagers or that Dem. Charles Rangel is still Chairman of the Ways and Means Committee while he doesn’t file taxes, etc., you’ve got to wonder. Could it be that we’re expected to think that corruption only exists on the other side of the aisle? Let’s compare Larry Craig’s (R) wide stance advances to Mark Foley’s (D) coming on to teenage boys.

It’s getting more and more difficult to vote intelligently because of the news “filters” we have. As my magnetized NOBAMA and McCAIN FOR PRESIDENT bumper stickers were stolen off my car, I’ve replaced them with one I bought at the Mark Twain home in Hartford, CT. Twain said it all! The bumper sticker proclaims: MARK TWAIN FOR PRESIDENT (with picture of Twain): IT’S BETTER TO BE POPULAR THAN RIGHT.

al-qaida politics politicians Iraq Yemen Kuwait military war surge news commentary opinion "U.S.+Embassy" bombing suicide sailors "New+York" Americans Obama McCain AP "news+service" congress benchmarks Rangel Foley Craig sex taxes "House+Ways+and+Means" committees "combat+zones" Petraeus Democrats Republicans "Mark+Twain" quotes CT

GOV. DAVID PATERSON--LOOKING GOOD

2008-09-19T23:18:00.004-04:00

While there’s no difficulty in finding fault in government and politicians, there are some good things going on as well. New York’s governor, David Paterson (D), is proving to be worth his mettle. He’s good about announcing his legislation, and he’s been doing some good things for New Yorkers. That’s what we expect and what we are entitled to.

Here’s one of several improvements I’ve noticed. On Sept. 5, Gov. Paterson signed legislation to allow pharmacists, once they are state trained and certified, to administer flu shots. This sensible and seemingly small change enormously increases access to the vaccines by virtue of pharmacies' hours and locations. The result should be a healthier winter for many New Yorkers.

On a side note, the bill was sponsored by Long Island Republican Sen. Charles Fuschillo, and that indicates Paterson's willingness to support positive efforts by both sides of the aisle.

Paterson has vetoed 49 bills showing he is not afraid to use his authority when he sees the correlation between budget and policy decisions as they impact local governments and taxpayers. To me that means he is on the right track. New York is a mess, and its state officials on both sides of the aisle, by and large, spend their time bickering over power. If Paterson can pull in the reins on this runaway horse of a legislature he inherited, he can have my vote as long as he wants it.

"New+York" governors Paterson "David+Patterson" health flu vaccines vaccinations pharmacists pharmacy healthcare medicine Democrats Republicans Senate Fuschillo "Long+Island" illness

OBAMA IS A BOTTLE OF SODA POP

2008-09-17T21:18:00.004-04:00

Obama is like an ice cold bottle of soda pop on a hot summer day. He glistens in the heat. The glass is wet and your mouth longs for the cool refreshing taste of something bubbling with carbonation, something to tickle your dry tongue, your parched throat, something to break through the thirst you’re experiencing even as perspiration beads on your face.

Go for it! It looks sooooo good. Drink! But consider what's really happening:

You’ve loaded up on sugar—a temporary fix that does nothing healthful for your body. It is empty calories. Worthless.

If you’re a sipper, the fizz dissipates rapidly and you’re left with the real thing—an absolutely flat taste that goes nowhere. It has no life of its own. No energy; no nothing.

If you’re a gulper, the good feeling climaxes quickly and leaves you dissatisfied and full of gas.

In a little while, no matter how you approach it, you’re as thirsty as you were before. You may be closer to tooth decay or weight gain. A sugar high is simply not worth the trouble.

Maybe this analogy doesn’t quite work because there’s one big difference between Barak Obama as president and carbonated, flavored sugar water. You can dump the soda; you’re stuck with Obama for four years!

Obama politics commentary elections Democrats president candidates "soda+pop"

GEORGIA & POLAND--WHAT'S MOTHER RUSSIA'S PLAN?

2008-08-16T14:53:00.002-04:00

The problems in Georgia and Poland should give the world pause.

Russia is not our friend! Putin is not our friend! Russia is just lying in wait until it can rebuild the Soviet Union by ensnaring all those countries on its borders which haven’t the strength or alliances to protect themselves.

Americans were surprised when those small countries, relatively newly freed from the Soviet Union’s domination, volunteered to help us in Iraq, but those countries do not take freedom for granted having lived under the grinding Soviet heel for so long. They understand the purpled fingers of joyous people who get to vote. They understand the struggle and sacrifice it is to make a democracy work.

Georgia’s struggle is the struggle of all free people. The United States took the lead in supporting them.

Poland signed a treaty with us to place ten defensive missiles there. Russia immediately threatened Poland stating that by agreeing to this placement, Poland is in danger of nuclear attack from Russia. Indeed, it would AIM its missiles with nuclear warheads at Poland. Today that threat was modified to say that would be the case IF Russia and the U.S. go to war. A map, however, shows that missiles from Russia toward the U.S. would not fly over the range of those ten U.S. missiles in Poland.

Whose missiles aimed at the U.S. would fly over that area in Poland? Iran’s missiles. Just as the U.S. said when it first proposed the system to protect against rogue nations. Remember, too, we received no help from NATO in proposing a defensive missile system.

CNN this morning suggested we provoked Russia to issue that threat, but CNN would like to paint us as the world’s enemy as often as it can. After all, Iran’s buildup of nuclear power is merely peaceful. Isn’t it????

Western Europe is mum about Russia’s invasion of Georgia. They’ve been happy allowing us to take the lead in protecting the world, and they vetoed Ukraine’s and Georgia’s membership in NATO. The U.S. has already sent humanitarian aid to Georgia while Europe is afraid to confront Russia and its oil. The only pipeline bringing oil from the Caspian Sea that does not traverse Russia is the one that traverses Georgia. So Europe is pretending this will all go away. Just as Europe sat back and allowed Hitler to invade sovereign countries, they will appease Russia.

History tells us where the appeasement (milk & cookies approach) led. Ernest Hemingway, then a reporter, warned the world about Hitler and Mussolini when he correctly called the Spanish Civil War a testing ground for the fascists. He predicted a world war within ten years. Hmmmmm

All of this takes us inevitably to our presidential candidates.

Obama wants all this at the U.N. and the Security Council. Duh! Russia has veto power on the Security Council. Does Obama really think Russia will vote for its own condemnation in any form?

McCain, who has been to Georgia on numerous occasions and who has vacationed there, said the U.S. must take a pro-active stand, though not a military one, in shoring up the country’s fragile democracy.

Both candidates applauded the President’s quick response with humanitarian aid.

Once again, Obama proves he just doesn’t get it!!!!

And good for President Bush, who had Condeleeza Rice there making an American stand for Georgia’s fledgling democracy. Much better a war of words than a war.

Russia Georgia Poland US oil war missiles "nuclear+war" "Condoleeza+Rice" treaty NATO Europe Bush invasions

DON'T SAY I DIDN'T WARN YOU ABOUT TAXES!

2008-08-02T10:19:00.005-04:00

On July 29th I warned that we would be flooded with news of failing infrastructure. Yesterday, our local rag, The Times Herald Record, screamed loud and clear from its front page that 61 area bridges etc. are in need of repair!!!!! SIXTY ONE. This morning on TV, CNN announced that 25% of the bridges in the country are in need of repair. ONE IN FOUR! All this as we are bombarded with reminders of the horrific bridge collapse about a year ago. That bridge is scheduled to re-open in Sept. This morning there was a news piece on the baby born after his pregant mother survived that collapse. It's all leading up to the same thing--a rise in gasoline taxes.

That as Congress calls it quits for the summer and leaves without any help for Americans. This when independent truck drivers are barely making ends meet. This when many Americans are having trouble getting to work. AT LEAST THE REPUBLICANS PROTESTED THE BREAK AND STAYED, DEMANDING THE DEMOCRATS RETURN AND GET IT DONE. They turned off the mics and lights on the Republicans.

The Republicans demand off shore drilling be included in the bill. The Democrats absolutely refuse. It doesn't matter to them that EVERY POLL INDICATES AMERICANS WANT OFF SHORE DRILLING INCLUDED IN A COMPREHENSIVE ENERGY BILL.

I have two feelings about these actions:

1. The Democrats have forgotten what their job is in Congress. They represent their constituents--not themselves or their party's line. Their constituents want relief, and they want relief in the form of more domestically produced oil.

This is what frightens me about Dems. THEY THINK THEY KNOW HOW WE SHOULD LIVE OUR LIVES, and they are going to cram their ideas down our throats whether we want it or not. THEY THINK WE ARE INCAPABLE OF MAKING DECISIONS FOR OURSELVES so they will gladly make them for us. People like Nancy Pelosi and Harry Reid do this everyday when they refuse to allow bills/amendments etc. to even come to a vote where members of Congress can do their jobs. THEY FEEL THEY HAVE THE RIGHT TO MAKE THE DECISIONS FOR EVERYONE and we citizens haven't even the right for our elective representatives to represent us!

2. Although Obama will come around (because it's expedient) to agree to some kind of off-shore drilling compromise, the DEMS ARE PROTECTING OBAMA FROM HAVING TO ACTUALLY VOTE TO ALLOW OFF-SHORE DRILLING. Talking isn't acting, and that is what Obama is good at doing. Better to take off for the summer, and let the country sizzle.

If Obama is elected and the Dems increase their hold on Congress, we are in big trouble!
politics politicians Obama Pelosi Reid congress senate oil fuel "off-shore+drilling" taxes liberal Democrats Dems Republicans recess summer vacation "Times+Herald+Record" CNN bridges infrastructure commentary opinion "political+opinion"

AP BUZZES ABOUT A RAISE IN FEDERAL GASOLINE TAXES

2008-07-29T22:37:00.003-04:00

Since the beginning or June I’ve been pointing out just how much government loves gasoline taxes and how we’ll never see relief from the politicians. (http://a-big-bang.blogspot.com/2008/07/more-on-our-gas-woes-dont-expect.html) All of a sudden the news is filled with reports that our highway infrastructure is in tremendous disrepair. Believe me, folks, they’re preparing you for what is to come.

Just listen and read—in the coming weeks we’ll hear about bridges, tunnels, and major arteries that will cause horrific disasters because of neglect. We’ll be afraid to drive over a bridge or through a tunnel. BTW, according to an AP article on July 19, 2008, just three years ago the Highway Trust Fund had a 3 billion dollar surplus. So let me ask, “Why has our infrastructure fallen apart when there was money to spare? How did this happen so quickly?” Hmmmmmm

The skinny is, again according to the AP, that lawmakers are “quietly talking about raising fuel taxes by a dime from the current 18.4 cents a gallon on gasoline and 24.3 cents on diesel fuel.” That’s federal gasoline taxes we’re talking about. Seems to me the states will feel the same pinch and move in the same direction. Tighten your money belts; it’s gonna be a bumpy ride!

Meanwhile, Congress is adjourning for their summer break (but don’t let me get on that topic) without doing one thing to help us. While Pelosi is “saving the planet,” our country, despite promises made by the Democratic majority in Congress, is falling apart. No wonder Congress’ ratings are the way they are—far lower than the President’s. Let’s drill, go nuclear, employ wind and solar power, develop hydro-electric cars, etc. Let’s do it NOW!

oil fuel gas taxes politicians commentary politics Congress President AP "Associated+Press"

OBAMA BOMBS AMERICA IN EUROPE

2008-07-27T22:36:00.003-04:00

There are so many things about Barak Obama I don’t like that as he continues and the negatives add up, I’ve begun sighing deeply in exasperation.

This European tour is one more bad example of how he would lead our country. It’s bad enough that he panders here at home, but abroad he is slick, oily, and unfortunately attractive because he feeds every negative Europeans have of us.

He got the biggest applause in Germany when he apologized for us. The crowd went wild at the mention of torture. For Obama anything more than the milk & cookies approach is torture. He also pointed out how we haven’t lived up to our ideals. Perhaps he should read that our aim is to “create a more perfect union.” What direction is the country moving because of his candidacy? It is moving in the “more perfect” direction.

In Germany we thwarted their national goals in two devastating wars and then had The Marshall Plan to rebuild them into a major power. We gallantly fed them when they were boxed in by the Soviet Union and then flexed our muscles just enough to see the Berlin Wall reduced to rubble and East Germany reunited with the west, Obama somehow envisions Germany a model? Huh? That is the same country experiencing a resurgence of skinheads and neo-Nazis, isn’t it? Aren’t they having problems with the influx of illegal immigrants? Haven’t terrorist cells been located there? Still doing business with Iran? They helped us when we needed it, right? Nein. Is this the model Obama sees for us?

We twice saved France from Germany’s national goals and then waited outside Paris so that de Gaulle could lead a triumphant march back to the Eiffel Tower. In “gratitude” he later threatened to break the U.S. dollar. Obama cozied up to Sarkozy, the man who demands a second referendum in Ireland (he didn't like the outcome of the first) because the people there don’t want the limitations of the European Union’s Lisbon Treaty; they know what bowing to the socialist-leaning EU will do to curtail the Celtic Tiger’s economy. That is the same France with double-digit unemployment compared to our slightly more than 5% rate. That is the same France beleaguered with riots by their immigrants. That is the same France rife with but unwilling to deal with anti-Semitic crimes. That is the same France that cannot stand the fact that English is the international language. France loves to do business with Iran. Is this the model Obama sees for us?

At the same time Obama sucked up to these people, he couldn’t bring himself to see our troops in the hospital in Germany. I received an email, too, but won’t print it because it is uncorroborated that stated he snubbed the troops in Afghanistan and went straightaway with the General. I don’t recall seeing any photos of him with our troops. Did you?

Speaking about war, by the way, Obama grudgingly admits the surge is working. But he’d still vote against it. Tail between his legs, Obama would run. Says he’d listen to the generals on the ground but still would vote against the surge. They’re the ones who suggested a change in tactics and the surge. Obama’s statement makes no sense to me.

The press said Obama looked presidential. He’s a good looking guy. Dress me up and I will look presidential too. And I bet I know a heck of a lot more about America and what it stands for and its history than he does. I bet I wouldn’t sell us short to people who want to see us cut off at the knees. That’s just what Obama will do if he gets the chance. Not with my vote.

Obama politics politicians "political+blogs" commentary viewpoint opinion France Germany Europe EU immigrants torture US America elections vote military war soldiers Ireland "Celtic+Tiger" surge press

CONGRESS CONTINUES TO RUN AMUCK WITH OUR TAX MONEY

2008-07-19T08:16:00.006-04:00

The Senate's vote on Wed to TRIPLE spending for a much acclaimed program to protect against AIDS, malaria, and tuberculosis is a sign that the U.S.A. remains a leader in helping those around the world. We actually deliver what we pledge unlike many other countries in the world. It is the most ambitious health program ever in the history of the United States.

Unfortuately, this $48 billion dollar package DOES NOT HELP ANYONE HERE. It all goes to Africa--granted the continent is being decimated by these diseases, internal wars, external wars, corrupt governments, sectarian fighting, genocide, racial strife and practically every other man-made and natural disaster there is. BUT...

1. This is the same Congress that does not pass spending bills to keep our military safe and well-equipped. Replacement truck parts in Iraq, for instance, may be a year in waiting because vendors are unpaid; the newspapers are full of reports of faulty electrical work and shoddy electrical equipment resulting in military deaths and injuries, and Congress keeps screaming about the expense of the Iraq war.

This is the same Congress that complains about a "recession," "bad economy," and the plight of Americans who can't afford to buy the things they need WITHOUT DOING ANYTHING SUBSTANATIVE to control the situation.

This is the same Congress that talks about energy and reducing oil independence to bring down prices but which doesn't legislate consistent tax breaks for people to afford solar or wind energy or who add doors, window, etc. to lessen their individual use of resources or for companies to afford technological development. (Remember that Kennedy and Kerry opposed wind farms that might mar their Massachusetts views of the Atlantic ocean)

This is the same Congress led by that despicable Nancy Pelosi who damns the President with his low approval rating while leading a do-nothing Congress with an approval rating 20 points below President Bush's.

This is the same Congress that WILL BREAK FOR SUMMER RECESS WITHOUT DOING ANYTHING about any of the problems that beset us.

WHAT A WASTE THESE MEN AND WOMEN ARE!!!!

This bill, this latest assault on our wallets, is their own "feel good," global way of looking busy. It goes along with their interest in any possible sports irregularities such as steroid useage--obviously problems of vital national interest. Ha Ha It goes along with their constant supoenas issued to presidential aides, etc., to get headlines for their party while ignoring, with the media's complicity, the wrongdoing of such members as Charlie Rangel with his four rent-subsidized apts.--three to create a spacious home for himself and one as an office, or Chris Dodd's special treatment in getting mortgages, etc. Or my own Senator, Chuck Schumer (photo upChuck) whose comments may have contributed to IndyMac's bank failure. According to NPR,

"Twelve days earlier, Sen. Charles Schumer (D-NY), a member of the Senate Banking Committee, had written to bank regulators warning that "a significant move by IndyMac's depositors to redeem their deposits could leave the firm in a disastrous financial situation." Once those letters became public, Schumer's worst fears were realized.

More ironically is that Schumer, when blamed, quickly pointed out that those pointing fingers at him were using "Bush tactics." DUH!

I know I'm rambling a bit, but launching the biggest health initiative ever--in Africa--at a time when we can't balance our budget, don't adequately fund the military (including Veteran hospitals, etc.), need to develop an energy policy (which will be expensive), seek to lessen the tax burden for our citizens, protect the Homeland (also expensive), rebuild failing infrastructure, and help those damaged by floods, fires, and other recent natural disasters is another example of Congress' misguided thinking, its inability to focus and accomplish anything positive for our country, its self-congratulatory smugness, and its damaging partisanship that puts party above country. Would that we could toss the whole lot out!
Congress politics politicians "political+blogs" Africa AIDS malaria tuberculosis health USA military Iraq recession economy energy Kennedy Kerry Massachusetts Bush Pelosi senate Schumer IndyMac

MORE ON OUR GAS WOES--DON'T EXPECT POLITICIANS TO GIVE UP THE CASH COW

2008-07-16T10:00:00.005-04:00

I pointed out at the beginning of June just how much of a governmental cash cow gasoline taxes are. ( http://a-big-bang.blogspot.com/2008/06/gas-taxes-is-governments-cash-cow.html )Don't expect any relief from your elected officials, Democrat or Republican--there's too much money and power at stake here. We will get their gas--hot air--finger pointing--and condescension as they look at us as too stupid to grasp the reality of the situation. New York's Democrat Maurice Hinchey, for instance, talks about the "oil men" in the White House while he either ignorantly or knowingly exploits the situation for his own political advancement.

Here's some truths from WebCPA with studies done by CCH. In the past year, eight states have raised their gasoline taxes with Minn. leading the way with a two cent hike. Additionally, while one side of every politician's mouth blurts outrage over the suffering citizen, the other side has authorized increases allowing sales taxes to increase up to 1% with Indiana, Iowa, and Maryland leading the way. Only Utah dropped its taxes--from 10% to 4.65%. Is it possible that Utah is the only state concerned with its citizens' woes?

Why? Simple. Gas taxes fund highway projects (or at least they're supposed to) when coupled with the Federal Government's matching funds. This oil crisis is a BOON for governments. They've got their sticky fingers on every available taxpayer dime.

So while Russia drills 50 miles off our shores and China drills 30 miles off our shores with certainly less concern for our environment than we have, we cannot drill. We have to be dependent on foreign oil. Because of modern technology and safety features, no oil rig was in jeopardy during Hurricane Katrina. Off the coast of CA it is estimated that oil could be with us within a year, yet our politicians, more concerned with themselves than with us, refuse to allow companies to drill. They claim that oil companies already have leases. True, but the permit process is so cumbersome that it can take decades. NO KIDDING.

Here's an interesting tidbit. Just by President Bush lifting the executive order against drilling and asking Congress to act, oil futures dropped!!!! Want more reasonable energy prices. Get Congress to do its job!!!!

politics "political+blogs" commentary oil gas drilling China Russia Congress Hinchey Bush taxes environment politicians "executive+order" sales "gas+taxes" "sales+tax" Minnesota Maryland Utah

REPUBLICANS AREN'T INCITING RACE FEAR; OBAMA IS

2008-06-21T08:03:00.005-04:00

Obama must read my blog! I commented on the professionally painted van I spotted in Monroe, New York bearing the accusation, “Bigots vote Republican.” (http://a-big-bang.blogspot.com/2008/06/obama-lack-of-judgement-some-more-bad.html)

No sooner do I mention that we’re being told the reason people don’t vote for Obama is race than he shoves that right in our faces! At a Florida fund raiser, he said, “They’re [Republicans] going to try to make us afraid…He’s young and inexperienced and he’s got a funny name. And did I mention he’s Black?”

Interesting rhetoric and interesting reasons. How did the commentators respond?

Jonathan Smith, Democratic strategist, said this morning on Fox News that Republicans have done the race thing before, citing the Willie Horton ads in 1988. Smith apparently relied on the fact that many voters do not remember the specifics.

Yes, Horton was Black. But he was in a Massachusetts penitentiary on a life-without-parole sentence for stabbing a 17 year old 19 times and leaving his body in a dumpster. In 1986 Horton was released on a “weekend furlough,” a Massachusetts rehabilitation program, from which he did not return. Instead, in 1987, he twice raped a Maryland woman and assaulted her fiancé. The Maryland judge who sentenced him refused to send Horton back to Massachusetts saying he was afraid Horton would be released again. Horton remains in a Maryland prison today.

In fact, 268 Massachusetts prisoners escaped instead of returning at the end of their furlough weekend.

Michael Dukakis, governor or Massachusetts, was the Democratic nominee for President. He did not initiate the furlough program but did not end it, and he vetoed a bill to stop it. The furlough program remained in effect until after Dukakis left office.

There were ads on television about Willie Horton and about the other escapees. They did highlight Dukakis’ attitude.

SO, Jonathan Smith lied. The problem with Horton was not that he was Black. It was that he was a murderer, a rapist, a robber, and a thoroughly recalcitrant criminal. Not the same thing at all.

It is not that Obama is Black that will make me vote against him. It is that he is inexperienced in all areas, cannot choose acquaintances or advisers correctly, makes inflammatory statements while he accuses others of hitting below the belt, and subscribes to a political philosophy, basic Marxism, that is totally abhorrent to me. His redistribution of wealth policy is the one thing he does make clear.

No one wants to be called a racist, and this tactic is dishonest and extremely problematic because honesty is called into question.

Republicans McCain
Obama elections politics opinion commentary "political+opinion" "political+commentary" "political+blogs" "Willie+Horton" Horton "Horton+ads" Dukakis "Fox+News" fundraising "1988+elections" Bush

OBAMA LACK OF JUDGEMENT--SOME MORE BAD CHOICES IN ADVISORS

2008-06-16T23:16:00.004-04:00

While the pro-Obama media likes to suggest that any objection to Obama is race inspired, one of my many reasons for voting against Obama is the company he keeps. (see http://a-big-bang.blogspot.com/2008/05/obama-is-known-by-company-he-keeps.html) Latest in that line of bad acquaintances are Eric Holder and Jim Johnson, members—now past members simply because the truth came out—of his Vice President Search team.

Why should we know Eric Holder’s name? He was behind the Bill Clinton “last minute of his presidency” pardon of Marc Rich, the international criminal and fugitive sought for making illegal oil deals with Iran during the hostage crisis. Coincidentally, his ex-wife, Denise Rich, is a big contributor to the Clinton campaigns. Clinton’s other advisors, by the way, sought to deny this pardon that even the New York Times called “indefensible.”

More offensive than facilitating Rich’s pardon, Eric Holder was also behind the last minute pardons of 16 FALN members who carried out terrorist attacks against the United States: 120 bombs resulting in six deaths and severe injuries and maiming to others. These terrorists who refused to renounce violence and terrorism despite the pardon accounted for 16 of the 140 pardons Clinton issued on his final day in office. When I consider Eric Holder’s past “contributions,” I have to puzzle about Obama’s consistent lack of judgement in choosing the people with which he associates and in whom he puts his trust.

Obama did not try to justify his pick of Holder, but would he go back to his excuse for being friends with William Ayers the Weather Underground member who also favors bombings and refuses to denounce the terrorism he once employed? Obama says he was only a child when Ayers was bombing government buildings and supporting the murderers in the 1983 Brinks robbery in Nanuet, New York. Forgive and forget? That could be why Obama doesn’t begin to understand the Amadinijads of this world.

Jim Johnson, a manager of that same Obama Vice President search team, resigned this week because of personal loan deals in which he received the kind of preferential rates you and I will never see--with the help of Angelo Mozilo, CEO of Countrywide Financial Corp., part of the federal investigation surrounding the subprime mortgage fiasco that has led to such widespread negative economic consequences across the country. How can Obama trust a man like this?

Barak Obama’s obvious inability to surround himself with wise and knowledgeable advisors should be a red flag for all of us. No president is an expert on everything, so he makes his decisions based on his own beliefs and knowledge as well as the knowledge of experts and advisors he chooses to aid him. Many of the people Barak Obama relies upon are of dubious and sometimes of criminal character. We, the people, should be worried.

About the race thing I alluded to at the top of my post, I spotted a professionally painted “Vote for Obama” van in Monroe, New York with this lettering: “Racists vote Republican.” I’ve a feeling this is just the beginning.

Obama politics election "political+blogs" "political+opinion" "Eric+Holder" Clinton "Marc+Rich" choices "New+York+Times" pardons FALN terrorists terrorism "William+Ayers" "Weather+Underground" Ayers Amadinijad Mozilo "Countrywide+Financial" subprime "subprime+mortgages" "Jim+Johnson" Monroe "New+York"

IF THIS WERE BUSH...OMIGOSH...BUT IT'S OBAMA

2008-06-11T09:30:00.010-04:00

This morning CNN made a big deal and a lot of fun about John McCain saying he would "veto any 'beer,' I mean bill that contains earmarks...." (GOOD FOR HIM) They're going to pounce on everything he says that doesn't quite work as a reason not to vote for him.

Well, if you want to see what happens when Obama doesn't have a script or teleprompter, look at these two. Not quite the smooth, savvy guy some in our country like to think they know.

http://www.youtube.com/7ujhytg2oo0
and
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZxBX8sz3tO8

Let me make myself clear. Uttering an incorrect word or getting flustered and tongue-tied shouldn't matter one iota, but Democrats and liberals use these examples all the time. "Misspeaking" enabled them to label Dan Quayle a moron--and the public bought it. George W. Bush mispronounced "nuclear," and it made headlines. We're still hearing about his alleged studpidity. John McCain once mixed up Iraq and Iran (two wholey dissimilar words?) and it was attributed to age. These videos of Obama then, take the cake! If Obama were a Republican, there would be a Congressional move to have him institutionalized!!!! Just take a gander--because what's good for the goose, IS good for the gander.

Obama Bush utube video politics election politicians McCain CNN Democrats Republicans congress Quayle "political+blogs" "political+opinion" convervative youtube

GAS TAXES ARE GOVERNMENTS' CASH COWS

2008-06-09T21:20:00.004-04:00

Everybody is complaining about oil and gas prices, but it’s business as usual in governmental offices all over the country. Picture in your mind's eye a politician’s profile. (I wish I could draw this cartoon for you.)

One side of his face is frowning—a sign of his concern for the people and the added costs of gasoline. He’s intent on going after big oil! Those companies are making too much money!!!! “Let’s legislate an excess profits tax to fix those high prices. Power to the people!”

But turn that two-faced liar around, and you see a smiley face! Higher gas prices mean Power to the Government! Taxes on gasoline is the federal and state cash cow, and those hungry politicians can’t wait to get hold of a teat! I wrote about that in Not With a Whimper on May 23rd. Go there for a cost breakdown for a gallon at $3.81.

But get this, the “sympathetic” legislatures in some states, Kentucky, Florida, and Massachusetts to name just three, are raising gasoline taxes. Only Georgia has halted a slated rise. With sympathy like that, who needs OPEC. Other states, California for instance, index the tax with the price of gasoline. The $4.00 a gallon Californians ante up brings in 5 Billion Dollars in tax revenue. If you think your Californian legislators are going to give that up, think again.

But everyone has the oil companies as the scapegoat even though U.S. oil companies have not been allowed to drill for oil anywhere in the United States and thereby increase the supply. Nor have they been allowed to build refineries. Meanwhile we buy from Russian owned Lukoil and Chavez owned Citgo, etc. etc. etc. as the king would say. We just send our dollars out of the country.

U.S. oil companies flushing us down the tubes? I think not. It’s our politicians.

One way to bring the price of gasoline down is to use less. The U.S. has already cut consumption by .3% while in the same period, China and India have upped theirs by over 4%. Power to the People means cutting back. A second way is demanding from our politicians that we allow our oil companies to tap into our resources and free us from foreign domination. Brazil just discovered major oil deposits off its coast. They're ecstatic!

China is drilling off Cuba—diagonally into our waters where we should be drilling. We’re just giving it away. Rather, our politicians are giving it away.

gas oil taxes politicians "political+blogs" "federal+government" "state+government" Kentucky Florida Massachusetts Georgia California "tax+indexing" legislators scapegoats "oil+companies" congress Russia China India Brazil Cuba Lukoil Citgo Venezuela Chavez

DEMS CAN'T GET THEIR OWN HOUSE IN ORDER; HOW CAN DEAL WITH THE COUNTRY?

2008-05-31T15:11:00.011-04:00

You just can’t make this stuff up! What do YOU Think?

The Democratic Party cannot manage itself and still is asking “we the people” to give them control of the country. Hmmmm Not a good idea.

Look at it: The Democratic Party has disenfranchised all the citizens in two states because the states didn’t hold their primaries as the party dictated. I wrote about negating the people’s choices in January:

http://a-big-bang.blogspot.com/2008/01/disenfranchisement-in-michigan.html

and

http://a-big-bang.blogspot.com/2008/01/florida-democrats-disenfranchised-and.html

They’re holding a convention where the “Super Delegates,” not the will of the voters from the states, will dominate the convention. That’s the case even though elected delegates are only committed on the first round of votes. The leaders of the party, John Dean, Nancy Pelosi, and Harry Reid want decisions made by next Friday (before the convention) where elected delegates are free to vote as they choose after the first ballot.

Though neither Obama nor Hillary have the requisite number of delegates to secure the nomination, the party is calling on Hillary to pack it up and go home. The Party has chosen the candidate, and the heck with the rest of you; you won’t even have a say at the convention.

This whole thing is particularly scary because they keep touting themselves as the party of the people. Hmmmmmm. I guess that works if the people like the idea of having politicians making and instituting all the choices. Not me.

politics politicians Obama Clinton Democrats "political+blogs" convention primaries president elections disenfranchisement Florida Michigan delegates "super+delegates" Pelosi Reid Dean "Not+with+a+whimper"

CONGRESS SHOWS ITS SLICK, OILY UNDERSIDE

2008-05-23T23:44:00.006-04:00

Congress is grilling oil execs telling them to come clean about their “excess” profits. How about Congress coming clean? I don’t think there’s detergent strong enough! Dick Durban (D Ill) asked the execs, “Where is the corporate conscience?” Where’s Congress’ conscience is a better question!

At the hearings, Maxine Waters (D CA) got on her high horse about oil companies’ earnings, but she never—nor do other politicians—reveals who is really getting the money boon. She also, by the way, threatened to try to socialize the oil industry. Interesting. Congress should allow oil exploration if it really wants to work on supply and demand. Brazil just found huge reserves off their coast. They're ecstatic!

Sen. Patrick Leahy wanted to be a funny guy with his sarcastic tone as he asked the oil execs their salaries—a question they couldn’t ask him in return.

If you paid around $3.81 a gallon recently, here’s the cost breakdown according to CNN this morning-5/23/08:
$2.79 = crude oil
.38 = refining
.22 = marketing (there’s your oil company, your transporters, your gas stations)
.42 = taxes

Next to the Saudis, Venezuelans, or other crude oil suppliers, notice that it’s OUR GOVERNMENT REAPING THE PROFITS!!!!! Politicians are not interested in helping citizens deal with ever-increasing fuel costs. They love America’s love affair with gas-guzzling SUVs and trucks that don’t have to meet fuel requirements. A gas pump is a cash cow for politicians! Why should we spend our money as we see fit; politicians get our money in taxes to spend as they see fit! Hillary Clinton loves the idea of an “Excess Profits Tax.” Obama says that he doesn't think the oil companies will part with their profits easily. Hmmmmmm

Think about it. What’s an excess profit? The oil companies’ profit percentages are actually lower than other big companies, and while oil execs are richly paid, think about what movie stars earn. Who is to determine where the “too much” line is?

Let’s say these liberal politicians get their excess profits tax. Think about how much of that $.22 a gallon will be considered “excess profit.” You don’t really think the price of gas will go down, do you? But state and federal tax income will go up! Hmmmmmmmm

Who would an “excess” profit tax hurt? Not the oil execs. They have their contracts, and they won’t have to worry. But if you are an investor, have investment savings in a company’s pension plan, have a 401K, a 403B, a Keogh plan, some shares in mutual funds, or any other kind of investment plan, you are the one who is going to be hurt because the government is going to hit you, yet again, where you can’t defend yourself—in your pocket book. Your investment will lose its profitability if the government sets limits on the profits a business may earn. Just about every fund or investment manager has a piece of an oil company. Now you're sharing the profits and loving watching your investments grow; leave it to Congress and they will grab their share of the profits and your investments will falter.

You'll react to the Excess Profits Tax. Chances are you’ll blame the downturn in your investments on the economy, but the truth is the blame is on Congress. Listen to who the big talkers are—like Maxine Waters with her stated socialist agenda—and you’ll find out who is more than anxious to rake you over the coals because they think you’re too dumb to discern the truth.
politics "political+blogs" "Maxine+Waters" Congress Clinton Obama oil gas gasoline "gas+prices" hearings "congressional+hearings" "Dick+Durban" "Patrick+Leahy" socialism socialist Brazil CNN "Excess+Profits+Tax" liberals taxes investments

MORE OBAMA HYPOCRISY--RELIGIOUS & SOCIETAL

2008-05-20T14:54:00.004-04:00

After reading about Black Liberation Theology and the Social Gospel and after hearing Obama say that he learned about the Social Gospel from Rev. Jeremiah Wright and that is something he wants to follow, I have to again question Obama's "truthiness."

This is the same guy who is against President Bush's suggestion that faith-based organizations do a very good job delivering social services to the needy? According to Obama, apparently, even when Bush is right (about delivering help to the needy), he's wrong. Duh! This is where Obama should say he agrees with the president. It's no way to prove he can do a good job looking out for the good of the country and the needy in society.
politics Obama politicians "Black+Liberation+Theology" "Social+Gospel" "Jeremiah+Wright" elections primaries Bush

OBAMA IS KNOWN BY THE COMPANY HE KEEPS

2008-05-17T22:09:00.004-04:00

One summer when I was a kid and had just moved to a new neighborhood, my parents kept me to an early curfew. Years later, my mother explained that curfew. She didn’t care for my some of new friends. She gave me that old line “You’re known by the company you keep,” and she wanted me as far away from them as possible. Of course I didn’t know her reasoning then, but that fall, I found new friends in my new school and activities.

You ARE known by the company you keep. You wouldn’t be with them if there weren’t some shared attraction and understanding. So it is with Barak Obama. His friends would be people my parents wouldn’t want as my buddies, and they would have me home very early—if they let me out at all.

Rev. Jeremiah Wright’s ideas are extreme, anti-American, and anti-White. Black Liberation theology, according to Professor Anthony Bradley (Asst. Prof. at Covenant Theological Seminary in St. Louis), states that

all evil in the world is caused by White racism
deals with continued victimization of Blacks
is rooted in Marxism as a means of redistribution of wealth

Barak Obama says that Rev. Wright is a mentor of his. If Obama believes as the Rev. does, will he be a president for all the people in our society, or will he be a president with an agenda to destroy the idea of America envisioned by our founding fathers and the great people who followed them?

You’re known by the company you keep.

William Ayers was a member of the radical Weather Underground that claimed responsibility for a dozen bombings. He went underground after a nail bomb they were constructing in a Greenwich Village townhouse exploded and killed three Weather Underground members. Ayers surrendered to authorities in 1981. He was never prosecuted because of prosecutorial problems while he was being sought. He has never expressed remorse for his actions, and he claims that the bombings were not acts of terrorism. He adopted the child of Weather Underground’s Kathy Boudin and David Gilbert who carried out, with members of the Black Liberation Army, the 1981 Brinks Robbery in the Nanuet Mall and killed two Nyack police officers and a Brinks guard. (BTW, there is a scholarship in Officer Waverly Brown’s name at SV High School where I taught) Today William Ayers feels he is often treated unfairly because of his past.

Barak Obama defended his acquaintance with William Ayers saying that Barak was only eight years old when Ayers committed these acts. I guess Obama’s a “forgive and forget” kind of guy. That might be why he wants to sit down with Cuban leaders; he doesn't remember missles and Cuba. I don’t think my mother would have let me hang around with William Ayers and his wife Bernadette Dohrn. Terrorism, murder, robbery, various other kinds of criminal acts and anti-Americanism weren’t her thing!

You’re known by the company you keep.

Then there’s Tony Rezko, indicted on federal charges in 2006. There’s Rev. Wright’s Trinity United Church of Christ’s award to Louis Farrakhan, an anti-White, Anti-Semite activist.

Take these friends and think about the influences on Barak Obama. Take these friends and think about Obama’s lack of judgment in choosing his acquaintances. There is a common thread. They are not people who respect or love America. Michelle Obama has been proud of America only once, and she has no trouble complaining about having to pay back her student loans for her Harvard education. I’ll go with my mother’s wisdom, and I’ll look for my President among those who have served our country and whose children and wife serve our country as well. I’d like to be known by the company I keep.
Obama politics "political+blogs" politicians election "Jeremiah+Wright" "Trinity+United+Church" "presidential+election" "William+Ayers" Ayers "Bernadette+Dorhn" "Brinks+robbery" Weathermen "Weather+Underground" terrorism bombs terrorists Rezko "Michelle+Obama" marxism "Black+Liberation+Theology" "Anthony+Bradley" "Black+Liberation+Army" anti-Americanism

DID YOU KNOW NEW YORK NO LONGER REQUIRES NATIONAL GUARD PROTECTION?

2008-04-11T09:58:00.002-04:00

Once again the Democrats are working on ratcheting down our military. Last time they were able to accomplish that was when Bill Clinton “streamlined” the Federal payroll by cutting the military. The result was that our early Iraq warriors were not decently equipped. Now, New York State is cutting use of the National Guard, and the result is that high target areas like Grand Central Station, airports, and subways will no longer be guarded. Our infamous and thankfully former Governor Eliot Spitzer even wanted nuclear power plants to pay for the Guard’s protection—the only installations required to do so—but in that case cool heads prevailed and the legislature turned it down.

Now under our new “I did it too but I got a pass” governor, Patterson, we are getting a bunch of double-speak. Here’s a choice quote from Eric Durr, director of public affairs (you know Durr’s job creates lots of methane gas) for the Division of Military and Naval Affairs, “You might not see the guy at Grand Central Station everyday…but that doesn’t mean you’re alone.” I’d like to know what it does mean.

The new budget for the Division represents a $400 million decrease from last year that Durr assures us isn’t quite as bad as it seems because it represents “federal money for disaster relief stuff, for emergency preparedness stuff, for Homeland Security.” Huh???? I guess the Democratic controlled Congress is really concerned about our safety—NOT.

It all falls into place when you look at the entire Democratic approach to Homeland Security coupled with their salivating appetite for the White House. It’s all about the election. Lull us into the false security we felt prior to 2001.

Juxtapose this Democratic view with the fact that we have not had an attack since 9/11 although the government has foiled plots against us and the terrorists have continued to strike in other countries.

It’s a lot easier to sleep at night if you buy in to the Democrats. The trouble is you might not wake up in the morning.

"New+York" "National+Guard" security "Homeland+Security" Patterson Spitzer Democrats military Clinton airports subways "Grand+Central+Station" government election opinion commentary politics politicians congress

THE DALAI LAMA SPEAKS OF FREEDOM AND PEACE

2008-04-10T09:45:00.003-04:00

With all the hoopla about the Olympics in China and the disruptions along the Olympic Flame’s route by protestors on both sides of the Tibet issue, it was interesting this morning to hear the Dalai Lama express his views.

The Dalai Lama said that protests are good—on both sides. It is worse to stifle voices than it is to allow them to be heard. The problem in Tibet stems from taking away Freedom—particularly Freedom of Speech. Freedom is what brings Peace.

Apply those sage ideas to our own situation in the United States. I have heard that same idea in relation to Iraq. I’ve heard it from President Bush even as he is vilified by his opponents for taking that stand. Freedom brings peace. It doesn’t do it overnight, and freedom is certainly not easy to achieve, but Peace is not found without it.

Think about it.

"Dalai+Lama" freedom peace Tibet protests Olympics "Olympic+torch" China "United+States" Bush commentary politics politicians news media "political+blogs" opinion

PORK BARREL SPENDING ROBS TAXPAYERS

2008-04-03T11:38:00.005-04:00

Probably bald-faced lying gets me the most, and we have a Congress complaining about pork barrel spending yet refusing to stop bringing home the bacon—at our— taxpayers' expense. The Democrats swooped into office like vultures and, voila, “earmark” spending tripled in 2007. So much for another Democratic Party promise. Not that Republicans act any better. Three of the top five recipients of earmarks are Republicans.

But let’s look at our candidates as a hint to the future:

Hillary Clinton brought to NY a whopping 296 million dollars! Does this make her a good Senator? NOT. But look at her history; she’s used to living off the government.

Barak Obama took a measly 97 million dollars back home!

John McCain came in a distant third. He took nothing back to Arizona. HE NEVER HAS TAKEN HOME A PENNY IN PORK. And he keeps getting re-elected. It points out the truth about us voters: we DO WANT INTEGRITY; we WANT OUR TAX MONEY RESPECTED.

On an interview from Jacksonville, Florida this morning, I heard McCain say he WILL VETO ANY BILL THAT HAS EARMARK SPENDING ATTACHED. That’s a promise I hope he’ll keep.

There are some real CHUTZBAH CANDIDATES:

New York City Congressman Charles B. Rangel (D) secured $1,950,000 for (get this) The Charles B. Rangel Center for Public Service at CUNY. You just can’t make up this kind of irony !!!!! Public Service?????? Public Theft is more like it.

Maine Senators Snowe (R) and Collins (R) fished a whopping $188,000 out of the sea of taxpayer money for a Lobster Institute. How delicious is that! I think we were the ones caught in a trap.

Despite their public statements, Congress recently shot down, by a big majority, a bill to put a one-year moratorium on earmark spending. This while they complain that the country is about to enter a recession. You just cannot make this stuff up!!!!

"political+blogs" politicians taxes earmarks "pork+barrel" Congress government money "Hillary+Clinton" "Barak+Obama" "John+McCain" Democrats Republicans "Charles+Rangel" Snowe Collins "New+York" Illinois Arizona Maine taxpayers

HOMELAND SECURITY VS ENVIRONMENTALISTS

2008-04-02T10:39:00.004-04:00

Homeland Security chief Michael Chertoff is up against some real loonies in trying to get 670 miles of fence built along the U.S./Mexican border. Weigh this in your scales of justice: maybe habitat---U.S. border security. Environmentalists flood the courts with lawsuits while drug-runners, potential terrorist, illegals, and every other kind of parasitic, bottom feeder blithely scoots into our country.

Thrice before Chertoff suspended environmental regulations to get portions of the job done, and, wattayouknow, no problem!

Consider Chertoff’s simple rational: "Criminal activity at the border does not stop for endless debate or protracted litigation," Chertoff states. "The waivers will enable important security projects to keep moving forward."

Works for me. I want the border secured!

But leave it to some asinine Democratic (yes, this is definitely a partisan issue) Congressman to say, "Today's waiver represents an extreme abuse of authority," House Homeland Security Committee Chairman Bennie Thompson, D-Miss., said. "Waiver authority should only be used as a last resort."

I’m not sure when “last resort” becomes operative—perhaps after the next 9/11, Congressman Thompson!

And while I am quoting stupid remarks, here’s one from the Audubon Society president, John Flicker (is he for real with that name; we have flickers at our bird feeders regularly): "The DHS decision … will jeopardize the economy, quality of life and beauty of South Texas,"

Economy, quality or life and beauty….Doesn’t he read the papers about what’s happening to areas along the border? What does he expect happens when drug smugglers, people smugglers, and people out to create chaos here come across? I guess he’s like an ostrich with his head in the sand! He should be saying, “The early bird catches the worm!”

I’m not a big fan of the virtual fence, and I’m not a big fan of Chertoff, but in this case, the man has 100% of my support. Let’s get this done!

"Homeland+Security" "Michael+Chertoff" politics Democrats border "border+security" illegals drugs smugglers 9/11 "Audubon+Society" "Bennie+Thompson" Texas Arizona environmentalists

10 MORE REASONS NOT TO VOTE FOR BARAK OBAMA

2008-03-18T20:56:00.004-04:00

Barak Obama never had a shot at my vote, but having watched this latest mess unfold--the video clips, Obama's interview with Fox's Major Garrett and today's speech by him, here are 10 more reasons Barak Obama shouldn't get anyone's vote.

He looked directly into the camera and denied to Major Garrett that he had ever had .... oops, I forgot for a second it wasn't Bill Clinton I was listening to .... denied he had ever heard or had an inkling of Pastor Jeremiah Wright's feelings.
He told Major Garrett that had he known, he would have left that church.
In Major Garrett's interview, he refused to condemn Wright's words and ideas: that the U.S. introduced AIDS as a means of genocide, that 9/11 was "chickens coming home to roost," that we supported apartheid in South Africa, sing not "God Bless America" but "God Damn America," didn't give a second thought to Hiroshima and Nagasaki, etc.
He called Pastor Jeremiah Wright his spiritual guide and mentor. If not for the beliefs we heard, in what ways does Pastor Wright guide and mentor him? Obama's general phrase, "social gospel" is too general and Black Liberation Theology is too.
Today he said he was aware of the Pastor's feelings but could not distance himself from the man any more than he could distance himself from his white grandmother who said she was afraid if a black man was approaching on the street. Are those comments moral equivalency? And what happened to the original denial? Someone is not telling the truth!!!! 'Fess up, Barak. We should worry when our potential president has a hatemonger as a spiritual advisor and mentor.
Today he suggested that the kind of rhetoric spewing from Jeremiah Wright can be heard in churches and synagogues across the country. Not mine. Yours? I'd bet not. Is he suggesting that many clergyman like the idea of God Damn America? And do congregations chant and scream and rise up in agreement of anti-American sentiment? Not my experience.
Obama suggested that he is the candidate to bring change to America and heal racial tensions. Seems to me that Obama is the poster boy for change in America. His candidacy attests to a changing America. He is the product of continuing change and forward motion. Until he brought it up, as early as when he claimed that he would never deal with someone who made despicable comments as Don Imus did and then going after Geraldine Ferraro and today by changing the real problem with Jeremiah Wright from his rabid anti-Americanism to problems with race relations, race was less of an issue in deciding on a candidate than it is today.
When people questioned Michelle Obama's statements that she was finally proud of our country or that America was mean, I did not hear or read any suggested racial connection. So why is that coming up now? The Obama camp is using race as a defense, and that makes it an issue to consider in determining our next president.
Obama has already admitted that he will seek advice before removing troops from Iraq. That's not quite the stance he originally took saying he would move them home immediately. Guess we can't trust his word there either.
We still know so little about him, but what we are getting to know is that we cannot trust his word. If we cannot trust his word, we cannot trust his judgement for us as President.

politics politicians "Barak+Obama" "Jeremiah+Wright" elections president racism "racial+relations" "Michelle+Obama" "10+Reasons" "Fox+News" "Major+Garrett" interviews

HOPEFULLY SPITZER IS ON HIS WAY OUT

2008-03-11T09:50:00.004-04:00

Don't say I didn't warn you; way back in January, I wrote about Elliot Spitzer--his arrogance, his dis-service to the people of New York (http://a-big-bang.blogspot.com/search/label/New%20York)

Today's scandal as breaking news doesn't surprise me at all. Here is a guy who rode a wave of deceit into office, and with any luck, his deceit will wash him away with the tide. The statement he issued--read in a voice totally devoid of remorse--stated that politics is NOT about Private Individuals. NOT!!!! Even the NYTimes came out against that one! (I can't begin to deal with that hypocrisy here)

Spitzer billed himself a "clean-up" guy. When he was attorney general, he went after white collar criminals--big companies, etc. That's where he built his reputation. He was successful, but he didn't go after, for instance, drug conglomerates or other kinds of criminals. (contrast him with Rudy Guiliani, for instance)

He won big in New York, having fooled the populace (as skillful politicians often do), but immediately alienated people with "dirty tricks," using the State Police to go after opponents, particularly Joseph Bruno. Then he got himself into trouble offering illegals NYState driver's licenses. That even caught Hillary Clinton off guard, and that caused trouble. He talked about "steamrolling," and that backfired on him. During his short term, he has alienated the politicians, the press, and anybody who might have offered some sympathy to him.

With any luck, New York will be gone. No more busting prostitution rings; he's been busted. How's that for hubris (and irony)--a guy busted by a bust!

My advice is for Andrew Cuomo, our Attorney General. You go after high profile businesses too. How about working to clean up what immediately hurts us too. Your dad, Mario, used this tactic with high profile "causes." He didn't make it higher than governor. Methinks you've set your sights higher.
Spitzer "Elliot+Spitzer" politics "political+blogs" "Hillary+Clinton" NY "New+York" media NYTimes "New+York+Times" "political+corruption"

WE FOOT THE BILL AND STILL GET KICKED IN THE REAR END

2008-03-07T23:52:00.005-05:00

I wondered the other day (http://a-big-bang.blogspot.com/2008/03/irs-scores-points-on-stupidity-scale.html) how much money it cost US to have the IRS send those letters to millions of taxpayers reminding them to pay their 2007 taxes in order to get their rebates. The Associated Press today gaveus that amount--are you sitting--42 MILLION DOLLARS of our money. Can you believe the incredible nerve--the incredible gall of the IRS.

politics "political+blogs" taxes IRS

ANOTHER OBAMA BOMB

2008-03-07T23:12:00.003-05:00

Today a key Obama campaign advisor resigned. Word is out that she called Hillary Clinton a "monster." She claims it was supposed to be off the record, but you'd have to wonder what brain freeze caused her to trust the press to keep mum on this juicy tidbit.

You can't make this stuff up. It gets better.

In her resignation statement she said that this pronouncement is at odds with all the other statements she has made saying that she admires Mrs. Clinton.

Which statement would you believe expresses her true feelings--the ones intended for public consumption or the presumably private comment not intended for us to hear? You know that old saying about how to protect yourself, "Go for the privates."

Between Obama 's brushing off the press yesterday claiming he'd already answered eight questions (big deal) and this, I'm trying to figure out what kind of HOPE and CHANGE this all represents.

When is this guy going to come out and say something substantive?
politics "political+blogs" "Barak+Obama" Obama "Hillary+Clinton" primaries elections

IRS SCORES POINTS ON THE STUPIDITY SCALE

2008-03-03T22:12:00.004-05:00

In terms of government stupidity and waste on a regular basis, the IRS is the place to look. A great point made by Steve Forbes running in the last presidential race and Mike Huckabee this time is that one of the biggest--if not THE biggest wasters of our tax money--is, ironically, the terrifying IRS, employing far too many, hounding far too many, and turning aside for the far too connected. Steve and Mike had specific reforms targeted, but each was/is an unlikely president.

Just today the IRS mailed out letters to 130 million taxpayers. Now remember that April 15th is right around the corner. The purpose of today's epistle: TO REMIND TAXPAYERS TO FILE THEIR 2007 TAX RETURNS IN ORDER TO GET THE REBATE promised as part of the economic stimulus package! DUH!

I'd like to know how many taxpayers had to work for how many days to pay for this mailing! I'd like to ask, "Can you think of a bigger waste?" but I'm afraid of the answer.

Have you heard any of the candidates address the problems of this unwieldy, cost-inefficient, bureaucratic monstrosity?

politics taxes IRS election "Mike+Huckabee" money government "government+waste" "income+taxes" rebates "tax+rebates"

CONGRESS DOESN'T BORDER ON INSANITY; ITS BORDER APPROACH MEANS CONGRESS IS ALREADY THERE

2008-02-29T09:56:00.007-05:00

Doesn't matter which side of the aisle you view, this mess about protecting our borders--particularly our Southern border with Mexico is absolutely disgraceful! I've heard Michael Chertoff, head of Homeland Security, talk about the "virtual fence," 28 miles completed. Chertoff looked straight into the camera's eye and told us the fence was good to go. That was a few weeks ago. Now the "virtual fence" is on hold for at least three years. Are they kidding!

The virtual fence is a total waste of money already spent as well as money to be spent. The Border Patrol claims this fence will not meet its needs in stemming the influx of illegals (but why respect the people who actually do the work)! I don't believe protection means "watching" illegals cross and deciding if they are or are not carrying backpacks. Gimme a break! Am I really supposed to believe this will keep me safe?

Build a REAL FENCE. Make it high enough and sink it deep enough to stem this unwanted flood across our borders. Me--I'd electrify it too--but that's really hopeful thinking.

The Dems don't want to stem the tide; they want to legislate ways to make these people Democratic voters. Just keep giving--driver's licenses, social services, etc. The Republicans don't want to alienate Hispanics already on the voting rolls.

Neither party seeks to change the catch and release that's going on now--and I'm not talking about undersized fish! Sanctuary states and cities are governed by members of both parties. It all stinks, and we are the ones who pay and who can be hurt. No wonder Congress' dismal approval rating makes the President's ratings seem like Mt. Everest! Congress is totally useless.

And, of course, enemies of the U.S. cheer. No way to stop them from entering--drug transporters, coyotes with paying human beings stuffed in their trucks, potential terrorists.

On this issue, none of the Presidential candidates and neither party can be counted on to work in OUR INTEREST to solve this problem. It is in their short-term interest to be as bad as they are being today, pandering to a growing and powerful voting bloc.
Border security "border+security" Congress Democrats Republicans Chertoff "Michael+Chertoff" "homeland+security" Hispanics illegals "illiegal+aliens" "illegal+immigrants" fence "border+fence" "virtual+fence" terror terrorists

SHUMER & HALL--PART OF NEW YORK'S BLIGHT

2008-02-19T09:16:00.005-05:00

Both Senator Chuck Schumer and Congressman John Hall voted against their respective versions of the Surveillance Bill (FISA) that would allow at least a continuation of some specific means of gathering intelligence until Congress could deal with working to protect us. Meanwhile Congress adjourned for its "much needed" February recess, allowing the bill to expire.

Schumer and Hall may not be the biggest wastes on Capitol Hill, but you've got to wonder why people actually voted for them. Neither is doing his job for us. Here's a copy of the email I sent to them when I learned how they blithefully abrogated their responsibilities to their country and to their constituents.

"Have you ever read the Federalist Papers? I doubt it; if you had, you would know that the primary function of our government is to protect us, and you certainly stray from that purpose because you voted against a way to possibly identify those seeking to harm us.

You know darned well that the techniques deal with "key word" recognition and things like that rather than with individual names until a pattern is recognized. You just count on the ignorance of the public not to understand that. You want them to assume that their conversations are being monitored. Makes the present administration look sinister, a look you like to advance for very partisan, and in this case, unpatriotic reasons.

And then, when the communications companies help the government, you want to let leech-like lawyers go after them. Intelligence assistance equals lawsuit. You're hardly acting in the interest of the country or of its citizens. You're not acting for my well being at all, for my protection, for my right to safety or in any other way the Constitution and the Federalist Papers explain your role.

How about putting partisanship aside and acting as your role dictates, and probably as your conscience dictates although you choose to ignore that little fellow sitting on your shoulder.

By the way, did you have time to pop in and deal with Congress' important business--steroids in Roger Clemens. You all should be ashamed of yourselves."

politics Schumer Hall "Charles+Shumer" "John+Hall" Congress FISA Senator Congressman "Capitol+Hill" "Roger+Clemens" "Not-with-a-Whimper"
"New+York"

NATIONAL SECURITY FOR WHALES OR FOR US?

2008-02-16T10:25:00.003-05:00

Enviornmentalists' battle against the United States Navy's use of sonar equipment has been fomenting for some time now, and the battle might even end up in the Supreme Court. It's in the courts now, and some imbecilic judge feels that freeing the Navy from restrictions may just be a violation of our Constitution. Another jerk who has read neither the Constitution nor the Federalist Papers. Show me the animal stuff in there!

Here's the deal: enviornmentalists want the Navy to cease and desist from its use of sonar equipment to locate enemy submarines. The noise disturbs the whales and might cause them to become disoriented and beach themselves. The Navy, sensitive to the possible problem, limits the sonar decibles according to the proximity of whales, but that's not enough. The Navy asserts that when diesel fueled subs run on silent, they are no longer detectable by the "sonar pings" popular in 1990 movies. They ARE running silent and deep!

Here's another attack on our safety. Save the whales and welcome another Pearl Harbor--or worse. Imagine an enemy sub armed with nuclear weapons allowed to approach our shores because our prime concern is protecting whales, not citizens. It's almost surreal--but not quite. It's a real battle.

This is one more attack on security. Rules of engagement already escalate the rights of the enemy above our fighting forces. Enemy prisoners should not be made uncomfortable in any way that would coerce them to give up info--the milk and cookies approach to interrogation. Guantanemo prisoners have rights analogous to U.S. citizens although they are captured enemy combatants. Now the whales take precedence over my safety.

I take it very personally. It's a whale of a battle against you and me! Think about it before entering a voting booth.

politics whales enviornment enviornmentalists Navy sonar "Supreme+Court" Constitution "Federalist+Papers" "Pearl+Harbor" "rules+of+engagement"

CREDIT FOR UPDATED GI BILL

2008-02-14T12:06:00.004-05:00

An article in our local partisan rag, the Middletown Record, for a push to update the GI Bill neglects to give credit where it's due--to Fox News' Bill O'Reilly and retired Col. David Hunt, a tireless advocate of veterans.

Stemming from John Edwards' fallacious assertions that 200,000 homeless vets sleep under bridges each night as a result of the economy, O'Reilly called on the VA to explain. There are 150,000 beds available each night but no legal way to force vets to take them. The problem, they say, is not the economy; the problem is primarily substance abuse and mental health issues. No one can force these men and women to seek treatment, and our "rights" have actually created a crack through which they can fall.

As O'Reilly tackled the Jessica's Law issue, prompting many states to adopt this child protection law, he and Col. Hunt enlisted the help of Rep. Congressman Peter King and Dem. Congressman John Kerry to do something to help these and other vets. Philosophically apart on many issues, these men are united on this one. They are crafting legislation and attempting to give our military the benefits they deserve--whether it is health, education, parity among deployed forces or other concern--whether they are enlisted, reserve, or national guard. O'Reilly will be making monthly reports on their progress, and it behooves each and every one of us to make sure our representatives are behind them.

Regardless of your personal view on the war, you cannot deny that our volunteer military is part of what makes our country great, and these men and women deserve our support, encouragement, and thanks.
politics politicians "GI+Bill" vets veterans OReilly "David+Hunt" "Fox+news" "John+Edwards" "homeless+vets" economy "Jessicas+law" war Iraq

CONGRESS GETTING SPORTS' AUTOGRAPHS--AGAIN

2008-02-13T11:07:00.004-05:00

Congress, primarily composed of self-aggrandizing politicians, must feel that this country has no greater problems to solve than steroids in baseball--now known as the "Roger Clemens Hearings"--and dishonesty caused a missing Patriot football tape (thanks to PA's Republican Senator Arlen Spector who is committed to making our country run better--duh?).

Here's how sports inquiries work in regard to the major issues we face:

HOMELAND SECURITY: Zilch

ECONOMY: Zilch for the good. I'd like an accounting of how much money these hearings cost taxpayers. Bet we never hear that figure.

DRUG USE: Proves that the only way to get ahead in sports--remember Roger and Andy are winning and extremely highly paid Yankees--and look at the "bod" on Clemens' wife--is to use drugs to bulk up and be competitive. You may or may not be caught, and the millions you've earned will carry the family through. OK you may not make Cooperstown. Ask Pete Rose--oops that was gambling.

HONESTY: "Just say No" Barry Bonds apparently proves how effective that is. If you choose to make a lot of money as a trainer, like McNamee, you better use whatever works. BUT just in case you get caught, keep good records and old needles.

FULFILLING THE AMERICAN DREAM : I put this in because when these politicians leave office, they take with them very valuable collectibles which they might sell on ebay to supplement their pensions. Ha Ha. I wonder how many photos were taken with Clemens as he made his rounds of congressional offices prior to the hearings! Bet Clemens gave these pictures (and maybe autographs) as freebies. Watcha think?

Isn't it nice to know we live in a country without problems concerning war, security, immigration, sub-prime mortgages, health care problems, social security breakdowns, poverty, educational inequities, inner-city deterioration, equality, energy crises, etc.? Or maybe it is not so difficult to understandwhy Congress has a 20% approval rating--that is the new, Democratic Congress that promised great things if elected.

politics politicians sports autographs Congress "Roger+Clemens" Patriots "Arlen+Spector" Republicans "Homeland+Security" security economy honesty drugs "Andy+Pettite" "Pete+Rose" "Barry+Bonds" McNamee collectibles war "social+security" healthcare poverty energy equality Democrats

DON'T LET THE MEDIA CHOOSE OUR CANDIDATES

2008-02-05T22:30:00.001-05:00

Don't let the press choose our candidates for us. The press has taken sides and has chosen its favorites. Now the journalists just sit back and hope we'll follow their lead.

It's no secret that journalists covering Barak Obama are smitten. His charm and the likeablity factor that alludes Hillary are intricate parts of his personality. But what they aren't covering are the details of his positions. He's allowed to make statements without ever offering a plan to implement them. But he's still a golden boy. Beware.

With Hillary, no one challenges her past. The media certainly does not. When she calls Bill's eight years in the White House her experience and adds another eight as a do-nothing NY Senator, what is she taking about--the travel agency debacle, the failed and embarrassing stab at health care reform, the lost records that sat on her coffee table and mysteriously disappeared? The press doesn't deal with those things, and hope we've forgotten. Search high and low for the positive contributions of her senate year, but it will be like searching for WMDs in an Iraqi desert.

Duncan Hunter was a blip on the journalistic screen. The press ignored him, and he quietly went away. Guiliani was counted out by the press as was Fred Thompson. And did you know that by suspending rather than stopping his campaign, John Edwards is still eligible for government campaign funding? Is he angling for a position in the next White House? The press hasn't covered that possibility.

The press is definitely anti-Huckabee, and keeps asking when he's going to give up and go home. Huckabee has to keep repeating that he's in this thing for the long haul. Defending his run has superseded talking about issues--his tax reforms, for instance.

According to the media, John McCain is the Republican candidate of choice. He's far from conservative stances, and his rebellion against the Republicans is glossed over. His dalliances with some of the most liberal Democrats in the Senate like Ted Kennedy please the press, so the media is all for him. They didn't call him on his lies about Mitt Romney's war position, and they apparently want to push him to the forefront. The press keeps suggesting that it's time for Romney to call it a day as a presidential candidate. They've left him on his own.

It's bad enough the the press can't or won't treat the candidates neutrally. It's worse that we tend to listen and follow their suggestions. If it's inevitable that McCain will get the nomination, we think, then why not vote for him in the primary? If the Clintons have an unbeatable machine, why not vote for her now?

The fact that we are treated as stupid doesn't mean we have to act that way. Use your own reasons for voting for a candidate. Most important--VOTE for the person who is closest to your personal choices.
politics primaries "Super+Tuesday" Hillary Obama Huckabee McCain Romney Edwards Guiliani Thompson Hunter "political+commentary" analysis media candidates press journalist "Not+With+A+Whimper" "political+blogs"

EDWARDS' LOSS PROVES HE'S THE LOWEST OF THE LOW

2008-01-30T16:12:00.001-05:00

I just finished talking about sinking to new depths when news of John Edwards seeped through the sewerage. What a bottom feeder he is! Incomparable--at least so far.

I needn't mention his totally inadequate qualifications for the presidential post. I needn't discuss his ridiculous stance on most issues. I needn't point out his lies on virtually every point. He proved today what he is in it for!

Rather than honorably leaving the race because he cannot garner enough support as Hunter, Thompson and Guiliani have done, Edwards is "suspending" his campaign for president. What does that mean, folks? It means that despite the fact that he is no longer running, he is entitled to receive matching government funds--you know, the money you contribute to try to prevent rich people from buying public offices (Corzine succeeded; Romney is still questionable). EDWARDS WANTS THE DOUGH--WIN OR LOSE. Takes a lot of money to keep the guy's hair styled. He's neither a donkey nor an elephant; he's a pig!!!!

CLINTON & OBAMA SPIN LIKE WHIRLING DERVISHES

2008-01-30T10:19:00.000-05:00

Both the Clinton and Obama camps are spinning so dizzyingly, they must be ready to puke! I am ready to puke as I read and hear the results of their spinning. Consider that no Democratic delegates will have a vote at the Democratic Convention as the state was disenfranchised by the National Committee, but they're both claiming victory.

Hillary hightails it back to Florida to celebrate her empty victory and thank the voters of Florida for giving her their all. All of nothing, actually, except a goose for states on Super Tuesday when most of the rest of the country will decide Florida's potential fate for the next four years. Her enthusiasm is as phony as the rest of Hillary who would kill (take that as you please--literally or figuratively) to have those delegates at the convention for her.

Obama sinks to new lows, but he's been watching Hillary so perhaps he has no choice. He touts the Florida results as a TIE. Zero delegates for him and Zero delegates for her. There's no considering that in this meaningless delegate race, she whupped him soundly!

Meanwhile, in the background, you get the clueless Floridians cheering wildly. Duh! It is really time to get off the merry-go-round. We can only hope it's the end of the ride!
Democrats, primaries, politics, "political+blogs", Hillary, Obama, "Hillary+Clinton" "Barak+Obama" "Florida+primaries," Florida "Florida+politics" "Democratic+convention"

FLORIDA DEMOCRATS DISENFRANCHISED AND TOO STUPID TO REACT

2008-01-30T10:03:00.000-05:00

You gotta wonder about the lemming mentality among Democrats in states where they've totally lost their say in chosing a nominee at the Democratic Convention. It's part and parcel of the whole Democrat philosophy that says the party leadership is the only source of "what's good for you." Apparently the stupid Dem populace believes that it deserves the kick in the rear that its getting. They follow anyway!!!

They'll follow even as Democrats lead the entire country over the edge of a precipice--in terms of security, economy, and personal freedom. While Democrats mouthe personal freedom and oppose moves such as the Patriot Act, they blithely eliminate delegates from entire states! Florida is just the latest in this primary season. The Florida State Democratic Committee moved the primary date up in advance of Super Tuesday, and Voila! no delegates to the convention. No delegates mean those poor Floridians are treated as idiots and lose their say in choosing the party nominee. Where's the uproar!!!! Don't they get it!!!???
Democrats, primaries, politics, political blogs, "Florida+primaries," "Florida+politics" "Democratic+convention" "Patriot+Act"

ROBERT REDFORD READY TO SLAM AMERICA--AGAIN

2008-01-27T10:24:00.000-05:00

It’s not surprising that Robert Redford is going to do the movie adaptation of Bill Bryson’s A Walk in the Woods. The book was a NYTimes’ bestseller and touted as outrageously funny. I reviewed it for Third Age Traveler (January, 2008), and found it an interesting read when it stuck to the challenge of hiking the Appalachian Trail and the wonders of being in so removed a natural setting while the world just beyond buzzes along at its frenetic pace.

I found it far less an attractive read as I discovered that Bryson’s sense of humor centers on making un-nice fun of the people and places around him—including a childhood friend who made the trek with him. His contempt is palpable; just like Redford's who uses his celebrity to tell us how to think.

I found it darned obnoxious with each swipe he took at the Forestry service and any other U.S. department or agency he could somehow tangentially fit into the book. ISN’T THAT A PERFECT VEHICLE FOR ROBERT REDFORD? He has found another way to use his celebrity to attack America.

Redford's recent attack in the movies to paint us as the bad guys in the world didn’t go over well, so he will change tactics to point to another irresponsible way (in his misguided opinion) we handle our country. Well, I won’t have to set aside a movie-going evening for this one.

I love, btw, how we’re always told we shouldn’t knock it if we haven’t seen it, but putting money into the hands of these people is not on my agenda! I don't plan on financing his next anti-American rant!

"Robert+Redford" America "Bill+Bryson" "A+Walk+in+the+Woods" books "Appalachian+Trail" movies "Third+Age+Traveler" review "book+review" "Not+With+a+Whimper" "political+blog" politics